Angry Middlesbrough man attacked Uber driver
https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/ ... er-driver/
A drunk who became aggressive with an Uber driver while he was driving has narrowly avoided jail.
Jamie Simms was picked up from The Navigation pub in Middlesbrough and he started arguing with his female companion as they couldn’t find the keys for their house.
Teesside Crown Court heard how the 33-year-old became enraged when the driver didn’t turn up his radio before he shouted - ‘who the f*** do you think you are?’ and kicked the driver’s seat.
Elisha Marsay, prosecuting, said: “The defendant leaned forward between the seats whilst he was driving at 50mph on the A66 and invaded his personal space.
“The driver decided to pull over towards Teesside Retail Park so he could stop the car safely. The defendant shouted for the driver to give him his money back that he had paid for the journey which was not possible.
“In his rage, the defendant pulled the wiring from the dashcam and threatened – ‘watch what happens now’.
“Simms then grabbed the Uber driver causing injury to his neck and his T-shirt to be ripped as he shouted and swore at the driver.”
Miss Marsay said Simms got out of the car and repeatedly kicked the VW until he completely destroyed the door mirror leaving the Uber driver out of pocket.
Simms, of Whinfell Drive, Normanby, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage from January 24, 2025.
Caoimhe Bicknell, mitigating, said her client was capable of paying compensation to the taxi driver for the damage he caused.
Judge Jo Kidd sentenced Simms to 14 months in custody suspended for 18 months and ordered him to pay £2,000 in compensation.
“Part of this unpleasant incident was caught on the dashcam footage which the victim has in his vehicle,” she said.
“Those people who work at night in circumstances where they are transporting the public, frequently under the influence of drink, place themselves at considerable risk.”
Simms was also ordered to attend 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.
