Taxi Driver Online

Builder threatened to kill taxi driver

A BUILDER who threatened to kill a taxi driver before stealing his takings was behind bars on Wednesday. Burly Martin Swash ordered a minicab from ABC cars in Harlow, Essex, in October last year - using his own name as a reference.

The 29-year-old was picked up from Malkin Drive, Church Langley, and asked to be driven to Potters Bar train station. The balding builder appeared on Wednesday at St Albans Crown Court to be sentenced after pleading guilty to one count of robbery last month.

Prosecutor Sally Mealing-McLeod said: "He had booked a taxi to take him to Cheshunt, but when the taxi arrived and he got in he asked to be taken to Potters Bar train station. "The driver asked for £30 up front which the defendant gave him. The driver placed the money in his shirt pocket."

Mrs Mealing-McLeod said that the taxi driver had described his passenger as seeming drunk and had said that there was not much communication during the journey.

She continued: "They arrived at the train station at around 5.30am. "The defendant leaned across and said 'give me the money or I will kill you'. "He then put his hand into the driver's shirt pocket and removed £60. "His demeanour was aggressive and the driver was very scared."

Mitigating for his client, Benjamin Posener said that the offence had been "out of character" and a "moment of madness". He said: "Clearly this was a serious offence because of the impact it had on the victim. However, the duration of the actual offence was short.

"Mr Swash is genuinely remorseful and ashamed of his behaviour. He has worked ever since he left school and works with young children at his local boxing club - he plays an active part in community life. "He has no previous offences and just one caution. I would ask he be given full credit."

Sentencing Swash, of Chadwell Avenue, Waltham Cross, Recorder Thomas Nicholson-Pratt told him: "It doesn't give me any pleasure dealing with someone like you. You have always been employed and are making a contribution to the community.

"I am told alcohol may have made you act out of character, and that you understand the impact of your crime on the taxi driver who was going about his lawful business in the early hours of the morning in a job which made him vulnerable.

"This offence is so serious it passes the custody threshold and I have considered whether I can avoid a prison sentence, but I'm afraid I cannot."

Recorder Nicholson-Pratt sentenced Swash to two years in prison. He was ordered to serve half before being released on licence.

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IDFIMH

I doubt he will be doing that again.

The judge is not such a Pratt after all. lol

Regards

JD

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Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

Although I applaud this Judge he, and the the media and the Prosecutor are still calling Mini-cabs Taxis.

If only all Judges were like this one =D>

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