Slightly unusual scenario here...
But did this daftie really order the car through an app then rob the driver when he rolled up?
But since the driver had takings it presumably wasn't Uber, or maybe he's double-opping
Or maybe a Boro Taxis car - an operation of that size will presumably do a lot of app bookings...
Usual victimhood, though.
Teen thug opens Middlesbrough taxi driver's door and smacks him in cheek - then grabs takings bag
https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/tees ... k-34664363
Brandon Moloney, 18, attacked the Teesside cabbie before grabbing his takings and running off
A teen thug opened a Middlesbrough taxi driver's door and smacked him in the cheek - before grabbing his takings bag and running off. The driver began his shift on the evening of June 10 this year and was informed of a fare from an address in Middlesbrough through a taxi app.
He arrived at the address at around 12.41am, where defendant, Brandon Moloney, was. While the driver was adding details to the taxi app, Moloney pulled the door open and punched him to his cheek "causing an immediate stinging sensation", Teesside Crown Court heard.
Moloney then pulled the bag containing the driver's takings and ran off. The court heard the victim was left in shock and was unable to finish his shift.
In a statement, the driver said the incident "has left me feeling extremely upset" and described how he felt intimidated while he was trying to earn a living and support his family. He added: "I was in fear for my safety and felt alarmed."
Moloney, 18, of Manor Street, Evenwood, Bishop Auckland, pleaded guilty to robbery. The court heard he had seven previous convictions for 22 offences, including shop theft, and had a community order at the time of the latest offence.
His barrister told the court Moloney had a "traumatic upbringing" and had spent time in care. He also said the defendant had a "lack of maturity" as well as other difficulties.
Judge Anthony Dunne sentenced him to 22 months in custody, suspended for two years. He also ordered him to carry out rehabilitation activities and pay £100 compensation to the victim.
He told Moloney: "I'm sure you know, people who rob taxi drivers nearly always go to prison and that could easily happen to you today. But I have decided to take a different course, a different choice."
The judge acknowledged the defendant had a difficult childhood and "an extremely tough start to life", and said custody would increase risks for him. It was also said Moloney had been attending appointments under his existing community order and had been engaging with the programme.
He was warned to stay out of trouble in the future or he would be sent to jail. The judge told him: "It's up to you now. This is a chance, please do not waste it."