Taxi Driver Online

Taxi driver armed with pepper spray

A TAXI driver armed himself with a pepper spray and baseball bat after being confronted by a knife-wielding customer and a violent drunk. But his actions landed Simon Newell, 23, on the wrong side of the law when police searched his cab, a court heard.

Magistrates were told on Thursday that the canister of spray and the 2ft-long baseball bat were found when Newell's Skoda Octavia was searched on the Joseph Wilson industrial estate in Whitstable, on Thursday, March 3.

Newell, of South View, Hersden, admitted breaking the 1963 Firearms Act by carrying an offensive weapon. He admitted the items were there for self-protection. Ian Callaway, prosecuting, said city council licensing officers and police searched Newell's car which he used for his job with Whitstable Taxis. He told police he had been scared when he was working as a driver on Friday and Saturday nights but had never used either item.

Debbie Pizzey, defending, said Newell, who had an unblemished record, had pointed out the pepper spray to police after they found the bat. He said he had been attacked in Canterbury in 2008 when he suffered concussion and needed hospital treatment.

In July 2008 a knife was pulled on him and in September or October last year a drunk had climbed in his cab and hit him. Miss Pizzey said: "It had a great affect on him. He was very frightened and left the drunk in the cab and managed to dial 999." The pepper spray had been given to him by a friend on his return from America.

She added: "Neither my client nor his friend were aware it was a weapon under the firearms act. "He is clearly remorseful and deeply regrets leaving these articles in the cab."

Newell, now unemployed, who had no previous convictions, said he did not want to return to taxi driving. He was ordered to pay £85 costs and told to carry out a total of 125 hours unpaid community work.

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IDFIMH

Why the hell didnt he suggest he was a member of a cricket team?

We'll all be carrying wheel braces next ffs. And I dont want to play cricket with a wheel brace.

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

He could have told them the bat was for beating the living daylights out of the car when it started squealing

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

harsh

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

but true

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

cruel ffs.

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

I have my moments

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

Result!!!!!!

I hope the police a really proud that this sends a message to taxi drivers about protecting themselves.

we really all should consider just giving passengers who threaten us our money and car keys in the future.

ffs........I really do dispair with the police....honestly.....if you aint an unarmed bloke....walking through central london.....with a heart condition....they aint interested.

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

I wonder what the police did on these occasions?

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

I'm guessing not a lot, hence the bat and pepper spray.

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My heart is heavy, but my consience clear,
I voted Yes, without any fear.