Taxi Driver Online

23 Feb 2008

Judge's bid to 'make a man' out of mugger

A TEENAGER who mugged a cabbie has won his freedom in a bid to "make
a man out of him" and stop him offending.

Joseph McDonald had a long record even though he was only 17 and
Judge Beverley Lunt said structured assistance from the Probation Service
could be just what he needed.

Burnley Crown Court heard how the defendant had stole victim Syed
Kazmi's money bag and punched him.

The judge warned the defendant: "People who attack taxi drivers in this
town must expect a custodial sentence. The courts are going to protect
taxi drivers. They are serving the public during unsociable hours."

But she then spared him jail, saying support could help "make a man out
of him".

McDonald, of Nairne Street, Burnley, admitted robbery, last August. He
was given an 18 month suspended sentence of detention with a 90 day
intensive supervision and surveillance programme and a three month
curfew, between 8pm and 8am.

Jeremy Grout-Smith, prosecuting, told the court Mr Kazmi, who worked for
Kings Taxis of Burnley, picked up two men in the early hours from the taxi office.

During the journey he was concerned about the behaviour of the two men
who were whispering together in the back street and giving false
instructions.When they arrived at their destination, the man in the front
passenger seat got out, slammed the door hard and threw a bottle at the taxi.

Mr Grout-Smith said the defendant got out and approached the driver's
door and there was a tug of war between them. McDonald managed to
open the door and pretended he wanted to use the cigarette lighter, the
victim told him it wasn't working and the defendant then punched him hard
twice. He then grabbed hold of Mr Kazmi's money bag which he had had in
his lap and which he had been trying to hide.

The prosecutor said an "ugly" incident then followed, with a number of
youths gathered around, throwing stones at the taxi. Mr Kazmi drove off
and called police.

Mr Grout-Smith said the bag and cash were later recovered from the
defendant's flat. He was interviewed and said he had been taking cannabis
and drinking that night.

The defendant had previous convictions for damge, threatening behaviour
and burglaries and had been to custody.

Hugh Barton, defending, said it was putting it mildy to say McDonald had
had a turbulent upbringing.

He said McDonald had resolved that his behaviour could not go on. He was
now almost 18 and knew the future was longer and longer sentences if he
continued to drink to excess.

Mr Barton said the defendant had got a job two months before the offence,
had stopped drinking because of the hours and it had given him satisfaction.

Source: Burnley Citizen
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These press articles are intended for informational purposes only.
Statements and opinions expressed in these articles are solely those of the original Publisher.
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Lovely words, but then WTF ignore them straight away?

_________________
IDFIMH

So what makes him different to avoid a prison sentence?

Oh, that

Obviously a first offender then

_________________

http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

We should demand the same protection from the law as Bus/Train drivers enjoy.
IE Mandatory 3 month prison sentences for assaulting a cab driver.

Contact your MP if you agree with this and maybe we could get an early-day motion which the Govt could ignore.

_________________
Our safety is Paramount

As it happens we do.

_________________
IDFIMH

Now that you've set him free his record is either going to get even longer or stabilise. I wouldn't like to predict which?

Regards

JD

_________________
Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

25 Feb 2008

Taxi firm hits out at judge

THE chair of Burnley Private Taxi Association has slammed the judge who
let a teenage mugger go free.

Joseph McDonald, 17, received an 18-month suspended sentence for
robbing Kings Taxis driver Syed Kazmi of his money bag and punching
him twice.

A gang of yobs then stoned Mr Kazmi's taxi.

But judge, Beverley Lunt, spared the youth jail, despite saying "people
who attack taxi drivers must expect a custodial sentence."

She said she instead wanted to "make a man out of McDonald" through
structured assistance from the Probation Service.

Mohammed Arif, of the taxi association, said he was shocked by the
judge's decision.

He said: "I am so upset to hear it.

"When it comes to taxi drivers we are always being made an example of
but, when we are attacked, this happens.

"I am really horrified because there is no excuse for attacking anybody.

"Taxi drivers work alone and are vulnerable. We need help and protection.

"This lad has got previous convictions and that should have been taken
into consideration.

"He's 17 and he should have been sent to prison.

"It is not fair and sends out completely the wrong message. The judge
should be making an example of people who do things like this, not letting
them go free."

Naser Khan, manager of Kings Taxis, said Mr Kazmi was now afraid of
working night shifts.

He said: "This sentence is not right. He has attacked a person and robbed
him as well. It tells him it is okay to go out and do it again."

Burnley Crown Court was told Mr Kazmi had picked up two men in the
early hours from the taxi office in Yorkshire Street.

But during the journey, Mr Kazmi became concerned about their behaviour.

McDonald opened the driver's door and pretended he wanted a cigarette
lighter, but told the driver it wasn't working and punched him twice before
stealing the cash from Mr Kazmi's lap.

Yobs then hurled stones at the taxi as it drove away.

Source: Burnley Citizen
----------
Disclaimer
These press articles are intended for informational purposes only.
Statements and opinions expressed in these articles are solely those of the original Publisher.
I cannot guarantee the accuracy of any of these articles, and therefore I am not liable for any information contained therein.
Where possible, the Publisher and the source are documented within each article.
Any author that holds legal copyright, and objects to their material being posted, may request that it be removed and any future material excluded.