Taxi Driver Online

Jail for Man Who Pulled Knife on Taxi Driver

23rd August 2008

A knife man, who terrified a Torquay taxi driver who threatened to call the police when his passenger could not pay the fare, has been jailed for 14 months.

At Exeter Crown Court, 26-year-old Michael Batty was jailed after pleading guilty to a charge of affray.

The court heard Batty, of Upton Road, produced the knife which had a three to four inch blade after a dispute about paying for his taxi fare. It was only loud shouting by the cabbie that made the defendant walk away. He was later arrested with the knife.

Batty's victim cabbie Keith Royal, 63, said today: "I feel good he's got 14 months. That wasn't how I felt when he pulled a knife on me."

He added: "I only hope he doesn't come back and do it again."

Mr Royal was in his 213213 cab when he was confronted by the knifeman near the coach station in Lymington Road.

"He owed me £11.40 on the meter — and he only had a mobile phone on him which he offered instead of the cash. I said I wanted the money," recalled Mr Royal, who lives in Torquay.

"I started shouting out these names of people to make him think I was calling them.

"He told me I was mad. I told him I wasn't as mad as him.

"If I had tried something stupid I now realise I could have been hurt. He just walked away.

"I called the police. They were brilliant because they got to me in four minutes and got him."

The crown court heard Batty had two previous convictions for attempted robbery where he used a knife and possessing a lock knife.

He also had a further conviction for attacking a person with a piece of wood.

Passing the jail term, Recorder Frank Abbot told Batty: "I expect you appreciate that knife crime is no longer overlooked by courts. If this had been a simple affray the sentence would have been less.

"But the fact that you were armed with a knife after all the recent publicity means that the sentence must reflect that aggravating feature.

"However, you were sensible enough to plead guilty and that reduces the overall length of the sentence."

Prosecutor Dave Bowen said Batty and another man caught a taxi in Torquay and when they reached their destination near the coach station Mr Royal asked for the £11.20 fare.

The other man walked off and Batty said he did not have the money to pay.

He offered his mobile telephone but the taxi driver refused and threatened to call the police.

It was then Batty produced the knife.

He only walked away after Mr Royal started shouting.

Batty was later arrested with the knife.

Mr Bowen said in a victim impact statement Mr Royal said he was extremely shaken up and had been shaking since the incident.

His heart had been pounding and he was very frightened.

He was scared and panicky and never wanted Batty to come near him again.

Mitigating, Ruth Armstrong said Batty had been stupid but then honest when arrested.

He was embarrassed at having committed the offence and realised he would have to go to prison.


Source; thisissouthdevon.co.uk

_________________
Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

And if he feels good about it, then that will do for me.

_________________
IDFIMH