I may never drive again says kidnapped cabbie
A Wellington driver who was beaten, kidnapped and locked in the boot of his taxi says he may never get behind the wheel of a car again.
Speaking through an Assyrian interpreter, Odesho Shemon explained how he feared for his family’s safety, despite his attackers being behind bars.
He spoke to Stuff after a High Court jury in Wellington found 25-year-old Jade Richard Barton guilty yesterday of all but one charge of arson for the part he played in last August’s attack.
Shemon, who received four hairline fractures in his back, was now questioning whether he had a future in the capital – a city where he spent 11 years working as a driver.
‘‘I’m never going back to taxis after what happened to me, I don’t think any driver in my situation ever would.
‘‘I don’t even know if I want to stay in the country,’’ Shemon said.
The Iraqi refugee took solace in settling in New Zealand in 1989, but with his career and his confidence shattered, he was uncertain about his next move.
‘‘We lived in a country full of war, so we don’t have any country we can go back to and live in peace.
‘‘It’s hard for me to stay home, not working, especially with a family, two kids and a mortgage.’’
Despite the ordeal, Shemon was trying to look on the bright side, finding peace in his faith and family.
‘‘My God has given me another life, I’ve got another chance to live. I thank God for letting me see my family again. I just want a normal life, peace and judgment of those people.’’
Barton – who was found guilty of kidnapping, aggravated robbery, aggravated wounding and possessing a knife – was the second person involved in Shemon’s brutal attack.
However, Barton was acquitted of the arson of the taxi.
Another man, Bronson Boudine Samson, has already pleaded guilty to a number of charges, including arson.
Last August’s attack was the second robbery the pair had committed in 12 hours.
Their first victims were two foreign students who had their phones and other property taken from them on Petone beach.
Shemon was attacked early the following morning, beaten unconscious and put in the boot of the taxi for about two hours while Samson went on a ‘‘tiki tour’’, as Barton told police.
While acknowledging the incident’s impact on Shemon, Detective Ben Evans said it was good to have an outcome.
Shemon had said in evidence that while he was in the boot he heard more than two males talking in the taxi. Evans said police could not rule out others were involved, but Barton and Samson were the main offenders.
Shemon said he only remembered being hit from behind and knocked unconscious.
He pretended to still be unconscious when one of the robbers opened the boot after about two hours, when his keys and a bag were taken from inside the boot.
He thought he heard a car leaving the area, but waited until he smelled burning before he got out of the boot and found a fire based in the driver’s seat.
He smothered it with his jacket, before seeking help at the only house in the secluded area of Grenada, northern Wellington.
The jury was told about $300 cash was taken.
Barton and Samson are due to be sentenced in June.
‘‘I don’t even know if I want to stay in the country.’’ Victim Odesho Shemon