Woman who assaulted taxi driver is spared jail
A WOMAN who assaulted a taxi driver and caused £400 worth of damage to his cab after drinking three quarters of a vodka bottle has been spared jail.
Shirley Johnstone was told by Torquay magistrates that had she not pleaded guilty she would have been sent to prison.
The court heard how on October 16 this year the 50-year-old from The Avenue in Newton Abbot, took a taxi from Torquay back home.
The driver Grant Beange noticed that she was drunk and had a bottle with her.
Prosecutor Sonia Oldakowska told the court how Johnstone tried to climb on to the front seat and punched and scratched MrBeange in the face and head.
The taxi driver managed to pull over and call the police but Johnstone damaged the taxi causing £395.50 worth of damage.
Mrs Oldakowska said: "The taxi driver was left shocked. In interviews he said the incident made him worried to pick up lone women.
"He said he could handle male fares but females are much worse to handle.
"He has lost about £50 in fares at a busy time."
Hugh Ogilvie, mitigating, apologised to Mr Beange on behalf of his client, saying she had found it difficult to deal with the death of her son four years ago and suffered with an ongoing alcohol problem.
He added: "She is very regretful about what took place. Alcohol was the main issue. She's had a problem with it throughout her life.
"She is ashamed about it but can't really believe she has done it."
He added: "She is expecting grandchildren shortly. She has a lot of happiness to look forward to.
"The incident happened in a car and it is fortunate a crash didn't happen but it was very upsetting for the driver. She is seeking help for her alcohol and bereavement problems."
Magistrates sitting in Torquay told Johnstone her guilty plea at a previous hearing for one charge of criminal damage and another of common assault, had spared her from going to prison.
They said: "This case has caused a good deal of anxiety and concern for the taxi driver who is a public servant whom you attacked when he was doing his duty."
Johnstone was sentenced to a 12-month community order including 200-hour unpaid work, and was ordered to pay £395.50 in compensation to the driver for the damaged caused and another £200 for his injuries and loss of earnings.
After the hearing Mr Beange said: "I'm flabbergasted. I thought she would be given a £50 fine and a slap on the wrist but she was dealt with quite fairly."
source:
http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/news/
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