Taxi Driver Online

Lot more to it in respect of my made-up headline, although it is the truth.

Man made off without paying taxi fare in Mold, court told

A TEENAGER found himself before a court after dodging a £14 taxi fare.

Shane Leech, formerly of Llawr Y Dyffryn in Ruthin, appeared via video link from prison at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Wednesday afternoon.

The 18-year-old, who told the court he does not currently have an address other than HMP Berwyn, admitted one offence of making off without payment, which happened in Mold.

Prosecutor Justin Espie told the court that on May 28 this year, he engaged the services of a taxi and left it, telling the driver he'd return with payment.

But he then "disappeared" without handing over the £14 fare.

Mike Pugh, defending, told the court that his client was on a Crown Court suspended sentence at the time and was "caught between a rock and a hard place" as he had to attend a probation appointment.

He'd taken the taxi journey so as not to end up in breach of his order but wasn't able to pay the return trip.

Mr Pugh said: "He accepts making off without payment and had enquired about making reparations, but it's too late for that.

"Since this incident, indeed on September 5, he was sent to custody for nine months for breaching his suspended sentence."

The Magistrates were told that due to the defendant being a serving prisoner at present, their sentencing options were limited.

Mr Pugh asked the court to consider a fine or, ideally due to his client's limited means, a short custodial sentence.

After a short period of deliberation, the Magistrates imposed a one week custodial term to run concurrent to his ongoing jail time.

He must pay £14 compensation for the fare he avoided.

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IDFIMH

I thought that when I read it

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Sometimes courts sentence out of convenience rather than proportionality.

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IDFIMH

All a bit pointless, and a huge amount of rigmarole, just for the driver to get his £14? Assuming he ever gets it?

I mean, even if it was a week in jail, it's concurrent, which I think means...

Indeed it is pointless, but once charged it has to go through the process.

He could have got a conditional caution, but as he is inside that avenue is blocked.

He could have been fined, but as he is inside that avenue is blocked.

He could have pleaded not guilty and a trial would have had to take place, and the driver would have had to attend court and give his evidence. I'm quite sure the CPS and the court were delighted he pleaded guilty and they could deal with the matter there and then.

I suspect his defence suggested he pleaded guilty and got the matter out of the way, in the full knowledge that basically nothing would be added to what he has already got.

The £14 will be paid, I suggest via a deduction from benefits order. In other words, the people reading this post are the ones that will be paying.

Welcome to the criminal justice system 2024.

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IDFIMH

There's a little bit more to this young fella

Teen led police on 100mph A55 chase before narrowly avoiding head-on crash
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north- ... 5-28202697

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Best he gets used to his current home, as it appears he is going to spend a significant % of his life there.

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IDFIMH