Two strangulation threads in one day
But spot the deliberate mistake about whether the fare had been paid
Bromford thug strangled taxi driver and warned 'Nobody is going to help you'https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/m ... r-25698882James Beckett, 30 and from Bromford, jailed over attack late-night attack
Image: Birmingham MailA terrified Birmingham taxi driver was strangled by a drunken passenger following an argument over a fare. The victim tried to cry for help but was told by James Beckett: "Nobody is going to help you."
The cabbie had picked him up on the evening of June 26 this year. However as they got near to his Bromford home he asked the defendant for the fare - but Beckett falsely claimed it had already been paid by his mother.
The driver checked his system and discovered this was true said Sabia Pathan, prosecuting at Birmingham Crown Court. Beckett then tried to get out of the vehicle while it was still moving but the victim had locked the doors, she added.
She said the defendant was sitting behind the driver, adding: "He placed his arm around his neck from behind very tightly.
"He described being pulled back towards his chair and struggling to breathe. This was done approximately three times in a confined location."
The driver managed to free himself. The prosecutor added: "He started to shout for help, at which point the defendant said to him, 'Nobody is going to help you."
Beckett tried to grab the cab keys before he fled via the driver's door. Miss Pathan said the incident lasted between five and seven minutes.
When the defendant was arrested he was found to be carrying a folding knife. She said as a result of his difficult behaviour with cops, he was put in a squad car with a cage.
In a statement the victim said that he had children and "feared he would not go home to them." He said as a result of the incident he had considered quitting his job and still suffered with pain from the attack.
In passing sentence Judge Thomas Rochford said: "The victim was vulnerable. He was a taxi driver working alone.
"There was strangulation which I regard as an aggravating factor. He no longer works nights and was traumatised by the incident."
Beckett, of Hollow Meadow House, was jailed for 22 months after previously being found guilty of the new offence of non-fatal strangulation. He also admitted possessing a knife.
Inderdeep Bhomra, defending, said at the time Beckett had had a lot to drink. He said he had a difficult up bringing and at one point had aspirations to join the army.
He added that his client suffered from mental health issues, as well as problems with alcohol and drugs.
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