Taxi Driver Online

Isle of Wight taxi customer threatened driver with knife

A MAN who was sick in a taxi and refused to pay the soiling charge appeared in court after threatening the driver with a knife.

Billy Haylor, 25, admitted making off without paying and threatening a person with an offensive weapon at an earlier hearing at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court.

On Friday, he appeared at the higher Isle of Wight Crown Court for sentencing.

Prosecutor Jonathan Rosen said on April 15, Haylor took a taxi from South Street in Newport to his home in Newport Road, Cowes.

He was intoxicated but the taxi driver felt not enough to refuse the fare. However Haylor was "slightly sick" on arrival.

When told there was an additional £70 charge, Haylor got angry, claiming the vomit hadn't got onto the seats.

He ran off, but the taxi driver caught up with him in his garden and phoned the police.

Haylor went into his kitchen and came out brandishing a knife.

The police advised the taxi driver to drive to a safe place, and Haylor was subsequently arrested.

Oscar Vincent, representing Haylor, said his client was of previous good character and the offence was out of character, following a period of emotional instability due to traumatic events.

He leads a responsible lifestyle, working as a tiler, and has a supportive family.

Haylor was made subject of a 12-month community order with ten rehabilitation days and 120 hours of unpaid work.

He must pay £80 compensation to the taxi driver and £425 court costs.

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IDFIMH

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IDFIMH