Taxi Driver Online

October 26, 2007 Friday

Have-a-go hero happy with jail term for hammer robber

Simon Carr

Milford Mercury

A HAVE-A-GO hero who was threatened by a would-be robber wielding a hammer and then chased him off says he was satisfied with the 30-month prison sentence.

Milford Haven taxi driver John Wind told the Mercury: "I was surprised at how long the sentence was, but satisfied as he was carrying a weapon and it could have been a frightening ordeal.

"I think the sentence was just."

Neil Craig Griffiths, aged 22, of Woodlands Drive, Mount Estate, armed himself with a hammer and tried to rob the taxi driver.

He told police he was on his way to attack his ex-girlfriend's new partner but decided to rob someone on the spur of the moment.

Swansea Crown Court heard how Griffiths called a taxi from Call a Cab to his home on June 30.

Mr Wind arrived and sounded the car horn when Griffiths approached wearing a mask with holes cut for the eyes and told the driver he wanted all his money.

Mr Wind opened the car door and slammed it against Griffiths' leg.

He ran off, pursued

by Mr Wind and as he got closer Griffiths suddenly stopped, turned round and threatened Mr Wind with the hammer.

Griffiths then chased Mr Wind back to his cab.

Mr Wind was able to get inside and radio his control room, who called the police.

Then he drove at Griffiths, swerving at the last moment.

Prosecutor Gerald Neave said police traced the original call to Griffiths' mobile telephone.

When they contacted his former girlfriend, Danielle Evans, she told them she had received a text message from Griffiths reading, "I tried to rob a taxi but he ran me over."

Griffiths' barrister, Dean Pulling, said he had been through a bad time, blaming himself for the death of his brother in France last year.

He tried to alleviate his depression by drinking and when Miss Evans ended their relationship he could not cope.

Judge Mr Recorder Peter Heywood, praised Mr Wind's courage and quick thinking.

"Taxi drivers carry out a valuable job for the community and have the right to feel safe.

"If people hold them to ransom and threaten them the courts will deal with them severely."

Griffiths admitted attempted robbery.
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It would appear everyone is happy bar the scumbag, which makes me happy.

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IDFIMH

But not as happy as I am reading comments like that from the courts.

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IDFIMH