JUST DESERTS
MAN TO COMPENSATE DARLINGTON TAXI DRIVERS WHO HE TARGETED IN RACIALLY ABUSIVE TIRADE
A Chilton man has been handed a community order after admitting to racially abusing and threatening two taxi drivers in separate incidents. Ayden Carrick, 33, of Chilton, appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on, June 3, 2025, where he pleaded guilty charges of threatening to cause
to
criminal damage and attempted racially aggravated harassment. The court heard that on Monday, June 2, Carrick
threatened to
damage one taxi driver's vehicle and directed racially abusive language at another. Both victims reported being "distressed by the nature of the comments and threats."
Magistrates sentenced Carrick to a 12-month community order, which includes an uplifted requirement of 60 hours of unpaid work to reflect the racial aggravation of the offence. He was also ordered to pay £100 in compensation to each victim. No additional court costs were imposed.
MILFORD HAVEN TAXI DRIVERS ORDEAL: COUPLE JAILED FOR KNIFE AND NEEDLE ROBBERY
A Pembrokeshire taxi driver has spoken of enduring nightmares and profound family fears after being robbed at knifepoint and pricked with a needle by a couple in Milford Haven last October. His harrowing victim statement was read at Swansea Crown Court on Monday, June 9, before Ashlee Rees, 23, and Kelly Rees, 35, were sentenced for their roles in the terrifying incident. The victim, a man in his sixties, conveyed the lasting impact of the attack, stating: “I don’t trust anyone anymore. I’m very wary who I pick up.” He expressed a belief that the robbery was “pre-planned,” adding: “I don’t know why anyone wanted to do this to me.” The emotional toll extended to his family, as he recounted: “My grandchildren worried I was going to die.” He now suffers from “recurrent nightmares” and undergoes regular blood tests due to fears of infection from the needle. Crown prosecutor Alycia
50
Carpanini detailed the incident, which occurred on the evening of October 18, 2024, in Trafalgar Road, Milford Haven. As the taxi driver arrived to collect a pre- arranged fare, Ashlee Rees opened the passenger door, brandished a knife, and demanded: “Give me your ****ing wallet.”
Initially thinking it was a joke, the driver attempted to disarm him but then felt a “prick on the outside of his right thigh.” It was at this point that Kelly Rees reached into the vehicle, seizing a blue canvas bag containing between £50 and £80. The driver sought hospital
treatment, where it was confirmed his skin had been pricked by a needle, leading to immediate blood tests. Although three boxes of syringes were later found at Kelly Rees’ home, she claimed they were for her blood- thinner medication. Ashlee Rees, of Lamphey, pleaded guilty to robbery and possessing a knife blade. Kelly Rees, of Milton, admitted robbery but denied using the needle, a charge she was later convicted of following a trial.
Both defendants had prior convictions for theft-related offences, and their barristers attributed their “spiral of offending” and “relapse” to drug use.
Judge Catherine Richards handed Ashlee Rees a total sentence of three years in jail and Kelly Rees three years and nine months. Addressing the pair, Judge Richards stated: “This was a plainly-planned incident in which you both deliberately targeted a lone taxi driver.”
JULY 2025 PHTM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72
