Taxi Driver Online

Nothing particularly out of the ordinary here (except that it's stated that the driver is 'returning to Pakistan' because of the incident ).

But with lockdown etc, and in view of how it's now several years since I've done much of the early hours stuff off the ranks, I'd kind of forgotten how irritating people eating takeaways and the like can be. And, of course, that dilemma about whether to say anything, or just grin and bear it.

(Although, to be fair, it's normally just snotty students here, as opposed to the crims and more intimidating types likely to be found in the big cities etc...)


Drunken thug who threatened to strangle terrified Leeds taxi driver escapes jail

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/ ... il-5465988

A drunken thug who threatened to strangle a Leeds taxi driver before stealing his phone has escaped jail.

Leeds Crown Court heard how Dean Johnson, 37, and two friends got into Mr Hussain’s taxi following a night out in Leeds on July 27 2024, and asked to be taken to Headingley, before changing their destination to Harehills.

Prosecutor Emily Hassell told the court how Johnson, who was sat in the front passenger's seat, became aggressive after being told he couldn’t drink in the vehicle, leading to Mr Hussain stopping his vehicle on Otley Road - informing the defendant that he couldn’t continue the journey unless he stopped drinking.

Johnson threatened to strangle Mr Hussain, but later calmed down and the journey continued to its destination. It was here that he grabbed the victim’s mobile phone, worth £150, which was attached to the car dashboard and a bag of cash before making off, the court heard.

Mr Hussain used a nearby shop’s phone to call taxi firm and police. Johnson escaped the scene on foot, but was later arrested and taken to Elland Road police station, where he admitted to taking the phone, but insisted it wasn’t a robbery.

The incident left Mr Hussain “mentally and emotionally drained,” and reluctant to take groups of males in taxi. He and his wife have since returned to Pakistan.

In mitigation, defence counsel Anatasis Tasou told the court how his client had taken the phone to feed his cocaine addiction, later selling it for £30. Johnson, who has previous convictions for theft, robbery and burglary, is currently serving time for another crime at HMP Wealstun.

Passing sentence, Judge Howard Crowson described the incident as an “unplanned snatching” and an “act of spite by an angry passenger.” He fined Johnson £150 fine, plus a surcharge, to be paid by May 16 2026. He is due to be released from custody in April.

I wonder what his excuse was?

Being an idiot at a guess.

I suspect this whole court scenario was merely a charade, as the fella is currently inside on other matters, and there is, IMO, no way the driver is coming back from Pakistan to give evidence.

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IDFIMH