Taxi Driver Beaten Over Smoking Complaint
4th October 2008
A taxi driver was grabbed by the throat and threatened with his life when he objected to a woman smoking in his car, a court heard.
Driver Christopher Hardy was attacked by passenger James Pearl, 19, whose mum, Alison, was asked not to smoke a cigar in the vehicle. She tried to grab hold of the driver's groin in her "drunken stupor".
The driver had stopped the car in Basford, where he was beaten, grabbed by the throat and told by James Pearl that he had a gun.
The taxi had collected the mother and son from a pub in Ilkeston on July 7 at 9.20pm.
James Pearl was initially apologetic about his 38-year-old mother's behaviour, Nottingham Crown Court heard.
But when the taxi reached Basford, he turned on the driver.
"He said 'give me the money or I will kill you'," said Sarah Munro, prosecuting.
Outside the car, Mr Hardy fell over and broke his ankle when he was whacked on the head.
Alison Pearl tried to grab hold of his groin, but Mr Hardy punched her as he crawled back to his car.
Both defendants told police they had been so drunk they had little recollection of events.
Afterwards, Mr Hardy was off work and had to order taxis himself.
James Pearl was given four years' custody for attempted robbery, one month for criminal damage and three years, to run consecutively, for drug-dealing.
He had been caught dealing heroin and cocaine in St Ann's last December.
He will be locked up for seven years.
Judge Dudley Bennett said the attack on the driver was "thoroughly nasty".
Alison Pearl, who admitted assault causing actual bodily harm, received a 52-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, with supervision.
She must also have treatment for her drinking.
Source; thisisnottingham.co.uk
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