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Hull Daily Mail
June 8, 2007 Friday
Five years jail for death ride
A Taxi driver killed his passenger by crushing him against a car as he clung on to his cab after a row over £3.50.
John Shackleton, 32, killed Mark Boynton on August 26 last year after dropping him off in Ashwell Avenue, Greatfield. Today he was starting a five-year jail term.
Mr Boynton chased the cab along Helmswell Avenue in Greatfield, east Hull, and clung to the side of the window after he felt he had been overcharged by £3.50.
Shackleton, of Borthwick Close, Bransholme, then deliberately steered his hackney carriage into a line of parked cars, crushing Mr Boynton before he was dragged under the taxi.
Judge Roger Thorn QC sentenced Shackleton to five years' imprisonment at Hull Crown Court for causing death by dangerous driving.
He said: "It is down to taxi drivers whether or not they accept a fare. You knew he was disabled by drink, you still elected to take him.
"You continued an argument over a puny sum of £3.50, which resulted in you teasing him, playing cat and mouse and eventually driving with him clung to the car.
"It is clear you swapped insults with him and teased him.
"You reached speeds of 25mph and in the course of that collided with two parked cars, causing him to fall under the wheels of your vehicle and his body bundled along as you continued to drive off.
"I take the view you have shown self-pity rather then genuine remorse. I think it was only late in the day when you realised what a dreadful thing you did."
Judge Thorn disqualified him from driving for 10 years.
Detective Chief Inspector Christine Kelk said: "The sentence is a very true reflection of the severity of the case. Shackleton was in a position of trust and he abused that trust in the worst way. He has never shown remorse. Nothing can bring Mark back, but I hope the sentence demonstrates the severity of the crime."
Mr Boynton died at the scene from fatal head injuries. He had caught the cab in Lowgate, city centre, after a night out in the city and was abusive to the taxi driver as he drove him to his girlfriend Rebecca Bielby's house in Helmswell Avenue.
He claimed Shackleton was taking a longer route and was wrongly charging him.
When they reached the house he was charged £8.50 for the journey, but only gave Shackleton £5.
Shackleton left the scene. He initially lied to the police, denying any involvement with the incident, and got his cab washed.
It was only when the car was taken away for forensic tests that he told the police it was him. His barrister, Patrizia Doherty, said: "Taxi drivers are vulnerable when they go out to ply their trade and deserve respect and should be protected.
"Mr Boynton was four times over the limit. He was inebriated, aggressive and his behaviour was not appropriate. "It's a tragic case for all parties. He has lost everything now."
Prosecutor Robin Frieze had described Mr Boynton as being "drunk and obnoxious" and "abusive and aggressive" about the fare.
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