JUST DESERTS PASSENGER JAILED FOR SIX MONTHS FOR ASSAULTING DRIVER & DAMAGING CAB IN FALKIRK


A woman has been sentenced to six months in prison for assaulting a taxi driver and causing £500 worth of damage to his cab. Kimberley Smith, 25, called a taxi on 9 September to


take her


shopping. After being dropped off, she was unable to pay the fare using her card and claimed her phone battery was dead.


The taxi driver agreed to let her transfer the money later, but when she failed to do so, he returned to collect the outstanding payment. Smith became angry and verbally and physically assaulted the driver, punching and kicking the side of the cab and damaging the wing mirror. Police were called and arrested Smith, who continued to


be aggressive and resisted arrest. At her sentencing hearing on 10 October, Smith pleaded guilty to assault, police assault, fare fraud, resisting arrest and statutory breach of the peace. Sheriff Alison Michie imposed a six- month jail term, citing the severity of the assault and the damage caused to the taxi driver's vehicle.


DERBY PAIR ROB CABBIE AND FLEE IN STOLEN CAB SPEEDING THROUGH NOTTINGHAM CITY CENTRE


A Derby woman who robbed a taxi driver and sped off in his cab through the city centre has escaped an immediate prison sentence. However, her accomplice and boyfriend has been jailed for an unrelated attack. The incident occurred on the night of October 6, 2023, when Lizzie Smith and Jake Sutherland hailed a taxi in West Bridgford.


After demanding the driver’s money, Smith took control of the vehicle and drove away at speeds of up to 50mph, with Sutherland and the victim still inside. She jumped several red lights and at one point collided with another taxi. The taxi driver was subjected to a terrifying ordeal, including being repeatedly punched and strangled by Sutherland. He managed to


escape the vehicle at a red light, and the pair were arrested after the vehicle was tracked via ANPR . Smith was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years, ordered to carry out 200 hours’ unpaid work and was disqualified from driving for two years. Sutherland was given a five-year jail term for his involvement and a separate assault on Smith.


JOHNSTONE MAN AVOIDS JAIL AFTER TAXI BREAK IN SPREE


A man from Johnstone has avoided prison after admitting to a series of break-ins targeting cars and taxis in the area. Peter McDougall pleaded guilty to breaking into eight vehicles, many of which were cabs, stealing items valued at over £800. The break-ins occurred between 3-18 September around Linwood and Johnstone. McDougall attributed his actions to a relapse into crack cocaine addiction.


46


Despite the significant value of the stolen items, none of them were recovered. The items included cash, sunglasses, clothing, bank cards, and a card reader. McDougall’s defence agent, David Nicholson, explained that his client had suffered a relapse after a six- year period of sobriety. He emphasised McDougall’s remorse and his commitment to returning to stability with his family’s support. Sheriff Sukhwinder Gill acknow-


ledged McDougall’s previous convictions but noted the significant time since his last offence. He said: “You targeted mainly taxis stealing cash, phones and things of a similar nature.” But Sheriff Gill opted for a “direct alternative to custody,” sentencing McDougall to 200 hours of unpaid work in the community within 12 months. He was also placed under the supervision of the social work department for 18 months.


NOVEMBER 2024 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  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84