Taxi windscreen is smashed in violence at petrol station
BOTTLE WAS THROWN AT VEHICLE IN ROW OVER MONEY
A VIOLENT confrontation at a petrol station in Narborough Road, Leicester, led to a taxi’s windscreen being smashed.
The taxi driver had been taking some passengers along Narborough Road at 4am when they asked him to pull over at the Shell garage.
He did as they asked and they entered the shop, but moments later came running out and got into the taxi, pursued by two men who were shouting at them about money they were owed.
One of the men, Michael Lawrence, flung a beer bottle at the taxi, smashing the windscreen.
entire incident, on Monday, May 23, was captured on the taxi’s camera, and Lawrence, 27, of Meynells Gorse, Leicester, was later arrested and admitted criminal damage.
He appeared before Leicester magistrates on Wednesday, when the court heard the repairs cost more than £500 and left the taxi driver unable to work until it was fixed.
Prosecutor Sally Bedford told the court: “At 4am, the taxi driver pulled into the Shell on Narborough Road as instructed by his passengers. They went into the shop.
“They came back very quickly to the taxi, sounding panicked. They locked the doors when they were all inside.
“Two males, who were shouting, came out of the shop, asking for money. They were trying to open the doors to the taxi but they were locked.
“The defendant moved to the front of the vehicle and threw a beer bottle that smashed the windscreen of the taxi.”
The court was told Lawrence had already been subject to a commuThe nity order for a previous incident of criminal damage, of which he had been convicted in September last year.
Perminder Bassi, representing Lawrence, told the court: “He knew those persons in the taxi. They did owe him money.
“He went outside to confront them. He deeply regrets his actions. He fully co-operated with the police.”
Chairman of the bench Christopher Thompson told Lawrence: “You were reckless as to whether you caused serious damage or injury – that windscreen could have smashed and blinded someone.”
Lawrence, who is on benefits, was ordered to pay £600 compensation to the taxi driver and was fined £60.