JUST DESERTS
FARE DODGER WHO HIT HULL CABBIE OVER HEAD WITH A HAMMER SENT TO YOI FOR 44 MONTHS
A terrified taxi driver thought he was “going to be killed” after a savage attack in the early hours by fare-dodging passenger. Hull Crown Court heard that at 4.30am, the taxi driver accepted a job to pick up Robert Ketley, another man and a woman. When they arrived, Ketley and the man walked away without paying and the cabbie asked for the fare. Ketley and the other man ignored him. The woman started to get out of the taxi and she tried to steal the driver’s phone charger but he challenged her and saying: “Where is my money and why are you taking my charger?” They both got out of the taxi. The
driver asked for his charger but the woman began hitting him with a bottle and the driver pushed her away in self-defence. The other man started to kick the cabbie and the woman kicked his vehicle, breaking a wing mirror. They were both punching him when Ketley arrived with a hammer in his hand. The driver tried to flee to get inside the car to protect himself.
Benjamin Donnell, prosecuting, said: “The defendant ran towards
NORTH LANARKS WOMAN TO PAY COMPENSATION TO FEMALE CABBIE
A drunk passenger has been ordered to pay £500 compensation to a taxi driver she attacked. Holly Hart, 38, appeared at Hamil- ton Sheriff Court last month. At a previous hearing she admitted assaulting the victim outside the Asda supermarket in Newmains on January 17, 2021. Hart, from Wishaw, also admitted failing to turn up for the court case twice and has been in custody since October after being arrested for a non-appearance. Sheriff Michael Higgins released Hart on a community payback order, an alternative to prison. She will be under supervision for two years and must carry out 180 hours of unpaid community work. Aga Mathieson, prosecuting, said the assault happened around 1am.
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She told the court: “The accused said she wouldn’t pay her fare. The driver was fearful and drove to Asda as the area was lit and there were other taxis around. “She asked Hart for payment and the accused then spat at her before getting out. The driver pressed a panic button to alert her controller and tried to lock the doors. “The accused grabbed her by the hair and pulled her out of the taxi, causing her to fall to the ground. Hart then punched her body. “Shortly after the police arrived and found the accused nearby. The taxi driver was seen to be shaken and scared.” The defence agent said Hart had been under the influence and rem- embered little about the assault.
him and hit him on the back of the head with full strength.” The victim fell to the ground. He was “seeing sparks” and lost his hearing for a few seconds. While the taxi driver was on the ground, Ketley hit him again with the hammer to the side of his ribs. The man was disoriented for a few minutes but he regained con- sciousness and shouted for police. “Thankfully, a woman came to his aid,” said Mr Donnell. “The defendant and associates fled the scene. The police were called.” One of the taxi driver’s colleagues took him to hospital. He had suffered a deep 1.5 cm wound to the back of his head and a suspected rib fracture. The wound was cleaned and glued. The driver said: “This whole incid- ent has really affected me. I thought I was going to be killed. I have scars on the back of my head.” For three weeks he was in great pain and could hardly sleep. He also could not work at that time. He estimated that he had lost £2,000 to £3,000 in wages and he had to pay £300 towards car repairs. The driver is now very afraid when picking people up. Ketley, 20, from Hull, admitted wounding the cabbie with intent to cause GBH on January 2 last year. He also admitted an offence of affray on February 16 last year. Ketley has four previous convic- tions including assaulting an emergency worker. Judge Kate Rayfield said: “He has committed some serious violence here.” Ketley was sent to a young offenders’ institution for three years and eight months.
MARCH 2024 PHTM
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