TERROR TIMES
TAXI DRIVER THREATENED WITH A HAMMER AT YEOMANS ROAD, BOURNEMOUTH
A taxi driver was threatened with a sledgehammer in Bourne- mouth. It’s reported that the driver of a white taxi was involved in a confrontation with a man who was in possession of a hammer. Dorset Police received a report on
Thursday, June 20, 2024, of a man in possession of a sledge-hammer in the area of Yeomans Road. A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: “It was reported that the man was involved in a verbal alter- cation with a taxi driver before walking away from the scene.”
Officers attended and carried out searches. The man was located, and the sledgehammer seized. Concerns were
raised for the man’s welfare, and he was given appropriate care. Inquiries into the incident are ongoing.
MAN LAUNCHED RACIST TIRADE TOWARDS FLEETLINE TAXIS MEMBER OF STAFF IN WEYMOUTH
A taxi office worker has told of her hurt and upset after Leo Pragnell launched a racist tirade after being told he would have to wait half an hour for a cab. Pragnell, 19, from Weymouth, pleaded guilty at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court to racial abuse towards Fleetline Taxis worker, Avril Bailey, as well as criminal damage. Elizabeth Valera, prosecuting, said Pragnell was ‘clearly in drink’ when he went to get a taxi from Fleetline at around 4am on Sunday, October 29, 2023. She said: “He was told it would be a 30-minute wait and became unhappy. He punched a wall, went across the road and punched a closed shop shutter.” When Pragnell came back across the road Ms Bailey told him to stop punching the walls and doors - and that he would not be getting a taxi from Fleetline. Pragnell retorted by telling Ms Bailey - who was born in London and whose father is from Sri Lanka: “You belong on a dinghy
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you dirty immigrant” and a slew of similar insults. He also used racist language when referring to her. The court heard that Ms Bailey was ‘extremely upset’ by
his
behaviour, which went on for some time. Drivers from the firm stepped in and put themselves between Pragnell and Ms Bailey and pushed him away from the taxi office.
The defendant then walked across the road and headbutted one of Quayside Leather’s windows until it smashed - before running away. He was later caught by police. Pragnell chose to
represent himself in court and said he was
‘winging it’ with his guilty plea. In mitigation, he said: “Sorry for doing it and wasting everyone’s time.” Pragnell told the court he has no issues with alcohol or drugs. District Judge Orla Austin told him: “You have pleaded guilty but I take the view this is a very serious matter. The words used were very racially offensive. “It seems to me that your approach to this case has been quite casual.” Pragnell replied: “I thought I was going to come up here and get an NFA (no further action) and go home.”
The judge replied: “Franky you are not helping yourself and I suggest you speak to a lawyer”. The case was adjourned so that a pre-sentence
report could be
prepared. Pragnell will be sentenced on Wednesday, July 3 at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court. He was released on bail with conditions not to contact Avril Bailey, the drivers involved, or to go to Fleetline Taxis.
JULY 2024 PHTM subsequently
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