Sex-change passenger didn’t pay taxi fare 
TAXI RUNNER ... Gavin Brannen, who told magistrates he is due to go through a gender reassignment process, pictured in a recent Big Night Out feature in the Gazette.
A MAN was arrested after running away from a taxi without paying the fare.
I suppose this is the one time were we can't say, "Cut his balls off"
Gavin Brannen racked up a £27 fare, travelling from Newcastle to his home in Laygate, South Shields.
But the 20-year-old – who appeared in court dressed as a woman, said he wanted to be called Katie and is due to go through a sex change – fled once he arrived at his street.
Brannen pleaded guilty at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court to making off without payment.
Justin Gibson, prosecuting, said: “Two people got the taxi from Newcastle to home in Laygate.
“The driver asked if they had money to pay, and they said yes.
“When they got to Laygate, they ran out and into their home without paying.”
“While the fare was £27, the meter was on £41 by the time he could leave.” The court heard that Brannen has previous convictions for the same offence.
Laura Johnson, defending, said: “He had been on a night out with his boyfriend before they got a taxi to their home.
“He has a lot going on at the minute and is in the process of going through gender reassignment.”
Magistrates gave Brannen a 12-month community order and ordered him to pay £20 compensation to the driver and a £15 victim surcharge.
* Cory Elstob, 20, of Laygate, South Shields, failed to appear in court in relation to the same incident, and magistrates issued a warrant for his arrest.
http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/crim ... -1-5563896