PATHETIC PUNISHMENT
DRUNK GRAVESEND MAN WHO THREATENED CABBIE WITH KNIFE GIVEN SUSPENDED SENTENCE
A taxi driver who was threatened with a knife by an angry drunken customer hid from him in a petrol station toilet for an hour. Stephen Gibbs, from Gravesend, was drunk in Sidcup when he ordered a cab to take him to Edenbridge. Taxi driver Atmsaidul Islam picked him up and put the location in his sat nav. But after a short time, Gibbs started to get angry and accused Mr Islam of “taking a longer route to charge more money” as they drove along country lanes. He then started abusing the driver and called him an “African b****”, as well as an Asian b****.” The aggres- sive 57-year-old then shouted at Mr Islam telling him he had a knife in his bag before making a thrusting motion at the back of Mr Islam’s seat near his lower back. He demanded he change direction and drive back towards Gravesend. Mr Islam was so scared of Gibbs, he said he needed fuel and pulled into a petrol station. He hid in the toilets and dialled 999. Despite police taking an hour to get to the forecourt, Gibbs, was so intoxicated, he continued to wait in the cab for the driver to return. Police spoke to Mr Islam about the incident and then approached Gibbs, who was still sitting in the taxi. He started to abuse them too. As officers tried to arrest drunken Gibbs he called the officers “stupid f****** c**** and referred to one officer as a “gay boy” and then called him a gay c***.” Gibbs was later charged with two counts of threatening behaviour on the police and racially aggravated common assault on Mr Islam as well
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as possession of a bladed article. He pleaded guilty to the offences when he appeared at court in November. Sentencing was adjourned and a pre-sentencing report ordered. He returned to Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on January 23, to hear his fate. Prosecutor Rajni Prashar told the bench the incident happened at about 8pm on November 21, 2022, and officers found the Stanley knife on Gibbs in the vehicle. Miss Prashar added: “He called him an African b**** and an Asian b**** and said he had a weapon in his bag and then Mr Islam felt something in his lower back through the seat.” The prosecutor told magistrates Mr Islam had written a victim impact statement to say he was now scared when anyone got in his cab and had been left depressed by what had happened . He had lost four hours’ work as a result of the incident as Gibbs had
failed to pay him. He said he had been disgusted by his racist behaviour. Magistrates told Gibbs his actions were particularly nasty and his behaviour was unacceptable. They said the offences were so serious, only a custodial sentence could be justified, but they were prepared to suspend it on this occasion. He was jailed for four months for all the offences, but the term was suspended for 12 months. They ordered he complete a six-month alcohol treatment requirement programme and for him to attend 10 rehabilitation sessions with probation. Magistrates also ordered the Stanley knife be destroyed and that he pay Mr Islam £200 compensation. Each officer was also awarded £100 compensation. Gibbs was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £154 as well as £85 court costs. NPHTA comment: Only four months for threatening with a knife?
That’s disgraceful! The
officers were awarded as much compensation for harsh words, as the victim was for racist abuse and threats to kill? Seriously? He didn’t realise there was a knife in his bag, and yet threatened to use it and thrust the bag into the drivers back, he knew full well it was there. To make matters worse, the pitiful sentence was suspended, so the viscous thug walked away laughing, with zero punishment for his crimes!
When will the judges realise how dangerous our industry is, and send a clear message to those who abuse drivers?
FEBRUARY 2024 PHTM
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