JD wrote:
Blackpool Gazette
May 14, 2007
Company boss in 'frenzied' taxi attack
A COMPANY boss who launched a frightening attack on a taxi suggested to police that the driver was trying to rob him of his £52,000 watch.
Property company boss Brendan Kiely smashed three of the cab windows with a scaffolding plank, showering the driver with glass.
Kiely, 40, of Ballam Road, Lytham, pleaded guilty to assaulting taxi driver David Dove and causing damage.
Brett Gerrity, prosecuting, said the taxi picked up Kiely outside Blackpool's Sanuk nightclub and drove him home on March 24 at 1.15am
Kiely, who was drunk, fell asleep and when they arrived he said he was not going to pay.
The driver then locked him in. Kiely eventually handed over £20. After leaving the taxi Kiely became aggressive. He picked up a 4ft scaffolding plank and smashed two of the taxi's side windows and its windscreen. Glass from a broken window caused small cuts on the cabbie's hands.
Mr Gerrity added: "It was a frenzied attack and the driver was frightened for his own safety. The defendant was abusive to police and suggested that the driver was trying to rob him of his watch, which was worth £52,000."
Michael Leach, defending, said his client was a wealthy man, who lived with his partner and three children.
Kiely and the driver had disagreed over the fare.
Mr Leach said: "The taxi driver then quite improperly and unlawfully locked him in the cab. After leaving the taxi my client feared for his safety as the taxi driver was refusing to get off his premises."
"Kiely accepts he then became over-protective of his family and home. He is deeply ashamed and had no intention of injuring the driver."
Kiely was sentenced to 100 hours unpaid community work and ordered to pay £625 compensation for damage to the taxi, plus £50 costs by Blackpool magistrates.
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Nice to here a judge on our side (and the police) May 14, 2007
Company boss in 'frenzied' taxi attack
A COMPANY boss who launched a frightening attack on a taxi suggested to police that the driver was trying to rob him of his £52,000 watch.
Property company boss Brendan Kiely smashed three of the cab windows with a scaffolding plank, showering the driver with glass.
Kiely, 40, of Ballam Road, Lytham, pleaded guilty to assaulting taxi driver David Dove and causing damage.
Brett Gerrity, prosecuting, said the taxi picked up Kiely outside Blackpool's Sanuk nightclub and drove him home on March 24 at 1.15am
Kiely, who was drunk, fell asleep and when they arrived he said he was not going to pay.
The driver then locked him in. Kiely eventually handed over £20. After leaving the taxi Kiely became aggressive. He picked up a 4ft scaffolding plank and smashed two of the taxi's side windows and its windscreen. Glass from a broken window caused small cuts on the cabbie's hands.
Mr Gerrity added: "It was a frenzied attack and the driver was frightened for his own safety. The defendant was abusive to police and suggested that the driver was trying to rob him of his watch, which was worth £52,000."
Michael Leach, defending, said his client was a wealthy man, who lived with his partner and three children.
Kiely and the driver had disagreed over the fare.
Mr Leach said: "The taxi driver then quite improperly and unlawfully locked him in the cab. After leaving the taxi my client feared for his safety as the taxi driver was refusing to get off his premises."
"Kiely accepts he then became over-protective of his family and home. He is deeply ashamed and had no intention of injuring the driver."
Kiely was sentenced to 100 hours unpaid community work and ordered to pay £625 compensation for damage to the taxi, plus £50 costs by Blackpool magistrates.
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