Passenger's fear over cab driver's sex act in taxi
http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/southwalesnews/Passenger-s-fear-cab-driver-s-sex-act-taxi/article-1702228-detail/article.html
A TAXI driver left a female passenger shaking and upset when he climbed into the back seat and performed a sex act in front of her.
It happened while Peter Roy Bricknell was driving the woman from Neath to Pontardawe on January 3.
Yesterday, he pleaded guilty to intentionally exposing his genitals when he appeared before Neath magistrates.
Neath Port Talbot Council head of legal services David Michael confirmed Bricknell's licence has been suspended and surrendered.
The court heard 25-year-old Bricknell collected the female passenger from her boyfriend's house in Neath at 2.30am.
"While driving to the lady's address, the driver asked her name," said prosecutor Patricia Ashford.
The court heard the "general chit chat" changed tone. "He said some women offered him sex instead of paying the fare," Ms Ashford told magistrates.
Bricknell pulled over into a layby on the A474 in Rhos and got out of the taxi.
"He removed £10 from a bag around his waist," said Ms Ashford. The court heard the woman told Bricknell she was not a prostitute.
Ms Ashford said Bricknell then started to unbuckle his belt and got into the back of the taxi.
"He pulled his penis out and was holding it in his right hand," she told magistrates. The passenger, who told Bricknell she had a boyfriend, began to feel nervous and scared.
"She looked away and said she froze," said Ms Ashford.
Bricknell, she said, masturbated for a short time but did not make any attempt to touch the woman. He then got back into the driver's seat and took her home. The court heard she was crying and shaking when she returned to her Swansea Valley home and contacted police.
Ms Ashford said during interview, Bricknell said he had taken his penis out and masturbated, but stopped and got out of the back seat when he realised she wasn't "up for it".
Defending, Chris White said Bricknell was of previously clean character.
He said the conversation Bricknell had with his passenger "contained sexual overtones".
"He accepts he misread the situation," said Mr White.
He added that by pleading guilty, Bricknell saved the complainant from having to give evidence in court.
Mr White said Bricknell was remorseful and was no longer working as a taxi driver.
Magistrates adjourned sentencing while an all-options report is prepared.
Bricknell, now of Tower View, Faringdon, Oxfordshire, will next appear at Neath Magistrates' Court on February 3.
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