Taxi Driver Online

'Moments of madness' as drunk thugs beat up man in taxi

TWO thugs were ordered to pay £1,000 compensation to a man they attacked in a taxi outside a Derby casino. Their victim suffered a fractured cheekbone, bruises to the head and permanent damage to his vision, which he described as ''like a fly buzzing round my eye.''

A three-month curfew and 100 hours' unpaid work were ordered from Oliver Bryan, of Wilson Road, Chaddesden, and Zavier Hobby, of Saffron Drive, Oakwood. They must share the compensation. Derby Crown Court heard the pair pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm on December 8 last year.

Twelve months' custody, suspended for two years, was imposed on the pair, who are both 19. Recorder Nirmal Shant told them: ''You behaved like a pair of thugs. Your behaviour towards the victim caused lasting consequences he has to live with. ''You tried to chance it until the trial day and hoped somehow you would get away with what you have done.''

The recorder said they could have been jailed immediately. However, she said, that would be a ''waste of talent.'' Andrew Vout, prosecuting, said the victim left the Genting Casino at 2am after playing poker. He got into a taxi.

As the cab pulled off, a youth opened a rear door and so the driver halted. The passenger tried to close the door and asked the intruder what he was doing. He was punched in the head. A second youth got into the cab and joined the assault. ''The driver thought matters were becoming extremely serious and tried to drive towards the police station,'' added Mr Vout. ''The attacking youths suddenly demanded to get out and have the taxi stopped. The two men got out.''

Alwyn Jones, for Hobby, said the taxi door was opened ''in a drunken stupor and everyone was surprised it was already occupied.'' Mr Jones said: ''That was a few moments of madness which had traumatic consequences for the victim.'' Hobby hoped for a career in the RAF.

Chris Lowe, for Bryan, said: ''He had drunk far too much.''

In a statement to police, the victim said he now did not like going out.

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IDFIMH

Part-time judge says could, full-time member of the public (me) says should.

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IDFIMH

Sounds to me as if they were not charged with the right offence to start with should have been at least GBH if not attempted murder !

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector