Taxi Driver Online

...and she didn't even leave the driveway

Bizzare case, not least of which is that the aggrieved woman drives a Ford Kuga taxi? Had to look it up - apparently it's a 'compact SUV', so doubt many of them plated in the UK.


Basildon mum took friend's taxi and caused £11,000 of damage

https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/189252 ... 00-damage/

A MUM got into her friend’s taxi and caused £11,000 worth of damage... without even leaving the driveway.

Jade Hill has been spared jail after admitting aggravated vehicle taking in Basildon.

The 27-year-old of Glenmere, Basildon, was visiting her friend, who is a taxi driver, on January 20 this year and then, in an action which she still cannot explain, took the keys to the Ford Kuga and got in.

Despite not being insured or having a full driving licence, she drove it forwards and backwards, causing considerable damage to the woman’s shed, gates and flower planters.

As a result, her pal lost 16 hours worth of work while she got her car repaired, and while she managed to get the majority of the damage covered by insurance, the total loss of income was around £350.

Hill was sentenced at Basildon Crown Court on Thursday.

The court was told that Hill had been drinking that evening but by the time she was breathalysed she was under the drink-drive limit, and was not charged with drink-driving.

Mark Halsey, prosecuting shared a victim impact statement from the woman.

He said: “She was extremely stressed and anxious, not knowing where to start with everything she had to do as a consequence.

“She said how fortunate it was how no one was standing in front of her gates when she was driving.”

Cyrus Shroff, mitigating, said Hill still does not know why she drove the car.

He said: “She is genuinely sorry for this absurd and reckless behaviour on her part.

“She’s at a complete loss to explain her actions. She’s aware the consumption of alcohol isn’t an excuse and doesn’t offer it as an excuse.

“She doesn’t make excuses at all.

“Her friend and her had discussions about family matters and she became emotional.”

Mr Shroff said that Hill had also previously been a victim of domestic violence, and is the mother of two children with a third on the way.

Recorder Robert Palmer QC gave Hill a 12-month community order with 30 days of rehabilitation, and a compensation order of £545 to cover the lost income and damages not covered by insurance.