JUST DESERTS


COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR HIGHLY REGARDED LAWYER WHO ASSAULTED JERSEY TAXI DRIVER


A 56-year-old “highly regarded” advocate in Jersey has been sentenced to 130 hours of community service after drunkenly assaulting a taxi driver. David Samuel Steenson pleaded guilty to common assault in the Magistrate’s Court, admitting to punching the driver, who sustained multiple cuts and bruises to his face. The incident occurred on 13 November, after Steenson, who’d been celebrating with colleagues, took a taxi home, initially talking amicably to the cabbie. Merry van Woodenberg, prose- cuting, said when they reached his home and the driver asked for


payment, the atmosphere changed. “Mr Steenson was confused about how to pay. The taxi driver waited for some five minutes, then said he was going to take him to the police station. “Mr Steenson started to grab at the steering wheel and the gear stick.” The court was shown footage in which Steenson punched the driver while shouting in a panicked voice: “Let me out of this car!” The driver suffered “serious but not permanent injuries” and had a CT scan which showed no lasting


physical damage. The driver is now fearful about returning to work and is nervous about the passengers he carries. Defence attorney Paul Nicholls, said Steenson suffered from acute claustrophobia leaving him very nervous in enclosed spaces. He said: “One wonders why the driver didn’t just let him out.” He asked for community service, citing Steenson’s remorse, impeccable character, and the fact that this was a first offence. Magistrate Bridget Shaw acknowledged Steenson’s remorse stating: “I accept this was a panicked reaction.” She also ordered him to pay £2,420.


FINE FOR ARMY MAJOR WHO GRABBED STAFFS CABBIE IN DRUNKEN RAGE AS HE DROVE HER HOME


A senior military officer has been convicted of assaulting a cabbie during a terrifying, alcohol-fuelled incident. Major Lianne Robinson, 38, pleaded guilty to battery after grabbing the driver’s neck and issuing death threats. The incident occurred on 9 June 2023, after Robinson attended a wedding. Highly intoxicated, she hailed a taxi near Swynnerton, Staffs, and demanded to be taken home to Shifnal. During the journey,


Robinson


became increasingly aggressive, verbally abusing the driver and demanding he change course. She grabbed his neck and told him: “I’m in the Army, I will f***ing kill you,” repeatedly telling him to turn around “right now” and called


12


him a “f***ing c***”. The terrified driver had noticed Robinson was wearing formal military ‘mess’ wear and genuinely feared that she was “capable of killing him”, prosecutor Suzanne Francis told the court. The terrified driver, phoned his office, who called the police, and he drove to the taxi firm’s office to wait for officers there. Robinson was arrested and in interview said she’d no recollection of the incident due to the amount of alcohol she had drunk. Dashcam footage captured the harrowing incident, including Robinson’s threats and abusive language. In court, the driver detailed the significant impact the attack had


on his mental health and work life. He now suffers from anxiety and has reduced his working hours due to fear of similar incidents. Mitigating for Robinson, Debra White said the defendant was “mortified by her behaviour” on the night and “desperately sorry” for the impact it had on the driver. She had no previous convictions and had led an “exemplary” career in the Army for many years. Judge Recorder McConaghy condemned Robinson’s behaviour, describing it as “utterly appalling” and “arrogant.” He ordered Robinson to pay a fine of £1,500 and compensation to the driver of £1,000. She must also pay £250 towards the costs of bringing the case to court.


JANUARY 2025 PHTM


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