Taxi Driver Online

South Wales Evening Post

October 24, 2006 Tuesday

HEADLINE: Guilty plea in knife attack trial

A Swansea man has pleaded to guilty to stabbing a taxi driver in his cab in the city centre.

Mark Barry Lewis attacked Richard Davies with a lock-knife in the early hours of August 13. Mr Davies was in his taxi at the top of Wind Street when 42-year-old Lewis stabbed him.

Lewis, of Penmaen Terrace, Mount Pleasant, pleaded guilty yesterday to an offence of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He made the admission during a video-link hearing at Swansea Crown Court.

Lewis, who is being held at Swansea Prison, also admitted being armed with a lock-knife in a public place. David Harris, defending, explained that Lewis was pleading guilty on the basis that he had the knife with him for protection.

"He had not taken the lock-knife with him for the purpose of attacking the complainant," said the barrister. Lewis will be sentenced next month, once a probation officer has interviewed him to prepare a report.

Judge John Diehl QC, adjourning, told the defendant: "You must remain in custody in the meantime."
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