Taxi Driver Online

'You take us or I'll smash your car up...' - Angry passenger's chilling warning to terrified taxi driver called to caravan site

https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/st ... ur-2560851

Handbag-wielding steel fabricator punched and kicked taxi

'Aggressive' Mark Hammersley threatened to 'smash up' a taxi after the driver refused to accept the fare.

The 38-year-old steel fabricator punched a window three times and kicked the Honda Accord cab.

Magistrates heard the driver had been called to a caravan site in Cheadle on November 24 when concern was raised over the welfare of one of the potential passengers.

Prosecutor Carla Harris said: "The taxi driver saw a group of people approach his car - two women and a man. One of the women could hardly walk and it appeared she was drunk and was coughing as if she was about to be sick. It was the start of the driver's shift and he was concerned that if she was sick in the car he couldn't work for the rest of the night.

"He was told the woman was diabetic - and he is also diabetic and did understand. He didn't feel comfortable and said if she was ill they should get an ambulance.

"The complainant said he was on the verge of deciding to take them when a man, who we say was the defendant, approached. The driver says the man was aggressive and went to the front of the car and was holding a lady's handbag which he threw at the car.

"He punched the driver's side window three times. He said: 'You take us or I will smash your car up'. He didn't reply and the man went to the rear door and kicked it and then tried the handle but it was locked. The driver was in fear."

North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard the cabbie drove away without the passengers. His vehicle had a scratch on the door panel and a damaged wing-mirror.

Hammersley, of Wellfield Road, Bentilee, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour.

James Hulse, mitigating, said: "He wants to express his remorse. He is ashamed and lost control of his emotions. He went to the taxi base the following day to apologise and offered to pay for the damage."

Magistrates handed the defendant an £80 fine, £135 costs and a £30 victim surcharge. He must also pay £250 compensation to the taxi driver.

could the sentence have been any lighter

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

Spot the deliberate mistake (made by the driver).

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IDFIMH

Cost him a few quid short of £500 and a criminal record.

Think the court got it spot on.

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IDFIMH

in my experience to someone like that the fine is a weeks work and changes nothing embarassing him through community service would be far more effective

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