JUST DESERTS
MAN JAILED FOR 67 MONTHS AFTER ROBBING TAXI DRIVER IN CHELTENHAM
A man from Cheltenham has been sentenced after he admitted to robbing a taxi driver. James Smith, 38, appeared at Gloucester Crown Court on 5 March where he was sentenced to five years, seven months in prison. He had previously pleaded guilty to robbery, possession of a bladed article in a public place and fraud. The court heard how police were called to River Leys shortly after 1.40am on Saturday 11 January after it was reported that Smith
had entered a taxi in a face covering, and had sat in the rear of the vehicle behind the driver before confirming his journey. He then grabbed the victim with his left hand, pulled him backward and put a knife to his throat. The victim screamed in fear and gave Smith his bank cards and money.
The victim was not
physically injured but was shaken. Smith ran away but was located hours later after one of the victim’s bank cards had been used at a local petrol station. Officers, including a dog handler and PD Airin, traced Smith back to his home address where they found the stolen bank cards as well as the knife he had used to threaten the victim. Smith was arrested at the scene and initially denied the offences but later pleaded guilty.
BIRKENHEAD WOMAN ADMITS RACIALLY MOTIVATED ATTACK ON TAXI DRIVER
A 28-year-old Wirral woman has pleaded guilty to multiple racially aggravated offences after attack- ing a taxi driver and damaging his vehicle. Amy Williams, appearing at Wirral Magistrates Court, admitted to two charges of racially aggravated criminal damage, racially aggrav- ated intentional harassment /
alarm / distress and racially aggravated common assault / beating which took place on October 2, 2024, on Well Lane, Tranmere. The court heard that Williams also assaulted the taxi driver, Vaidas Dzimidas, and that the assault, along with the damage to the taxi, was racially aggravated under
Section 28 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. Williams, from Birkenhead, was fined £120 and ordered to pay £200 in compensation to the victim. Additionally, she received a community order that mandates 12 months of alcohol treatment and 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
BISHOP AUCKLAND MAN AVOIDS JAIL AFTER RACIST ATTACK ON TAXI DRIVER
A Bishop Auckland man has been given a suspended sentence after assaulting a taxi driver in Durham and hurling racist abuse. John Harrop,
37, admitted to
racially aggravated assault after punching the driver in the face on December 27, 2023. Durham Crown Court heard that Harrop and his intoxicated wife were seeking a taxi home. After
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being told by the Asian driver that he would be charged £200 if his wife was sick in the vehicle, Harrop became aggressive. “I’m a Gypsy, you f***ing b**** b*****d,” Harrop shouted before punching the driver, causing injuries to his nose and upper gum. He continued to shout racist abuse. The prosecution highlighted Harrop’s intoxication, previous
violent convictions, and racist slurs as aggravating factors. The victim was unable to work for several days due to his injuries. Harrop received a 32-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay the victim £1,200 in compensation, at a rate of £150 per month.
APRIL 2025 PHTM
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