IN THE NEWS


BURNLEY MAN JAILED OVER HORRIFYING BOTTLE ATTACK ON CABBIE AT LIVERPOOL STATION


A man who hit a taxi driver in the face with a broken bottle causing permanent scarring has been jailed for more than three years. Craig Davies, 38, from Burnley, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and was sentenced to 40 months in jail at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday 22 April. The court heard how at around 8am on Tuesday 16 August 2022, a drunken Davies was carrying a bottle of wine and smoking a cigarette when he approached the victim’s cab which was parked in the rank at Liverpool Lime Street station. The driver refused the fare given the visible level of Davies'


condition to which Davies responded by swearing at him and trying to get in the front pas- senger seat. Realising the door was locked he be- gan headbutting the window. Fearing the glass would smash, the driver, who was 62 at the time of the attack, got out of the car and confronted Davies who smashed the glass wine bottle he was carrying on a metal bollard and slashed him across the face with it. Davies was identified by the victim just minutes later and British


Transport Police officers arrested him on suspicion of assault. Investigating officer DC Juliet Thomas said: “This was a horrifying attack on a man who was simply earning a living and attempting to protect his property. “The victim has been left traumatised and feels nervous going about his everyday job, this in addition to the permanent facial scarring which Davies inflicted in his alcohol fuelled rage. “Being intoxicated and claiming to thus have little memory of such a vicious attack is no defence as is clearly demonstrated by


the


sentence handed down by the courts.”


CABBIE RESCUES TERRIFIED NURSE CHASED BY GROUP OF PEOPLE ON DRUGS IN TORQUAY


A woman has praised a taxi driver for saving her after a group of people ‘on drugs’ chased her across a road in the centre of Torquay late on Friday night, 5 April.


Natalie Wills was trying to get home from a night out and began waiting at the taxi rank on Cary Parade in front of the Pavilion.


She said she started talking to a group of people who also appeared to be waiting, but instantly realised they were under the influence, and she felt threatened and unsafe. They began approaching her and she said she saw a taxi on the other side of the road, and left to cross the road and realised the


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group at the rank were chasing after her. Ms Wills said: “I don’t know what the group of people had been taking, but their behaviour towards me made me feel really unsafe straight away. “I politely tried to leave and saw the taxi so started towards it across the road,” she added. “I jumped in and begged the driver to take me, but he started saying he couldn’t and I’d have to book but then he saw the group of people chasing me across the road. “I have never felt so scared, but the taxi driver Chris realised what was happening, locked the doors, drove off quickly and arranged for me to book the taxi. “He was brilliant, he saved me. If


this driver had not been there for me I dread to think what the outcome would have been when I was crying for him to drive away. “He not only sorted out the ride situation, but was able to make sure I got home safely. “I have never felt so vulnerable in my life,” the 46-year-old said. Ms Wills tried to


report the


incident to the police but, at 1am, she says she was told there would be a three-hour wait for a call back from the police. Ms Wills wanted to tell her story to praise the driver and thank Torbay Taxis 211611 for their quick- thinking in rescuing her. “They should be recognised for their help in this situation and for not leaving me,” she added.


MAY 2024 PHTM


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