JUST DESERTS


HOLMFIRTH MAN WHO CAUSED CRASH WHICH LEFT CABBIE IN A COMA JAILED FOR 30 MONTHS


A teenager who left a taxi driver in a coma had been on Snapchat just seconds before crashing his car. Connor Brian, now 20, smashed into the Toyota taxi being driven by Andrew Clark in September 2022. Leeds Crown Court heard on 2 January that Brian had been captured on footage driving his Honda Civic car at high speeds. Prosecutor Nathan Davis said Brian, from Holmfirth, had been out and left around midnight when he got into the car with a number of passengers. Mr Davis said: “He was asked to slow down by a passenger .” The court was told the driver of a car from the opposite direction


noted Brian was travelling well over the speed limit and thought that he wasn’t going to make the corner and would come across the road and collide with him. Brian overtook a number of vehicles including a man who estimated he was going at 80 to 90mph. He later came across the accident. Cabbie, Mr Clark had to undergo emergency surgery, was put into a coma and remained in hospital for three weeks. Other passengers suffered injuries including whip- lash and bruising. Mr Davis told the court that


seconds before the collision, Brian opened a Snapchat message. He said: “While the car was moving his phone was unlocked on Snapchat and opened two images. At 00.14am, a video was sent to him which he watched. At 00.15am the defendant called 999.” Brian remained at the scene, was breathalysed before providing a blood sample which showed he was under the legal limit for alcohol. Brian pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving at the first available opportunity. Recorder of Leeds Judge Guy Kearl KC jailed Brian for 30 months and disqualified him from driving for four years and three months.


MAN WHO STABBED CABBIE AND MOWED DOWN MAN IN LEEDS RAMPAGE JAILED FOR SEVEN YEARS


A “totally naked” man burgled a charity, was released on bail before stabbing a taxi driver days later, stealing his vehicle and mowing down a man on a night out. Pablo Hernandez, 21, began his violent crime spree on January 18 last year when he was caught burgling a charity in Holbeck. Prosecutor Glen Parsons told Leeds Crown Court on 15 January, that Hernandez was arrested and released on bail. Nine days later, Hernandez, from Leeds, targeted two taxi drivers - the first an Uber driver who had picked up a fare in Harehills at 9.30pm. Hernandez got in the car, said: “I’m going to kill you,” and produced a 12-inch knife which he started “swinging” and then lunged at the


42


driver. He then rained blows on the cabbie who escaped to a nearby shop. The defendant drove away in the vehicle.” The cabbie was taken to hospital and treated for stab wounds. Hernandez then drove danger- ously to Leeds city centre and collided with an Audi and then “jumped across” another car. Mr Parsons said: “He mounted the pavement and collided with and knocked down a pedestrian running over his foot.” Hernandez abandoned the vehicle and attempted to run away on foot before getting in another taxi sat in traffic ordering the driver out.


When he asked why, Hernandez punched him but the driver re- mained and the defendant ran off. The public gave


chase and


Hernandez hit a man over the head with a bottle before he was arrested by British Transport Police. Hernandez pleaded guilty to burglary, wounding with intent, theft of a vehicle, possession of a bladed article, dangerous driving, ABH, damaging property


and


attempted robbery. Mitigating, Craig Sutcliffe, said “Hernandez was undoubtedly suffering a mental health episode. Thankfully no one suffered long- term injuries or any long-term psychological harm.” Hernandez was jailed for seven years.


FEBRUARY 2024 PHTM


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