Cabbie trapped teenage drink-driver who fled taxi
ADRINK-DRIVING teenager was trapped by a dogged taxi driver after he ran off without paying, a court heard.
Ryan Cooper, from Poynton, was being driven home after a night out in Manchester when he fled a taxi to avoid paying the fare, prosecutors said.
The cabbie tracked down the 18-year-old who had tried to finish his journey in a car, magistrates were told.
But the determined taxi driver called the police and followed Cooper, trapping him in a deadend, the court heard.
Cooper eventually gave up and collapsed on the floor in tears, prosecutors said.
When police arrested Cooper he was almost twice the legal drink drive limit.
Cooper, of Distaff Road, Poynton, admitted drink driving and making off without payment.
He was fined £220 and banned from driving for 20 months.
Debbie Byrne, prosecuting, said: “At 2am on June 18 a Mr Coffey, a Manchester taxi driver, picked up the defendant from Deansgate in Manchester and quoted him £35 to drive him to Poynton.
“Along the way the defendant asked to be dropped off near Hazel Grove railway station instead.
“The driver asked if he had enough money and stopped at a cash machine in Longsight.
“When the taxi was near the station the defendant opened the door and tried to run.
“The driver managed to grab him by the belt but the defendant broke free and ran into a housing estate.
“Mr Coffey drove around for a while until he spotted the defendant in a small white car.
“He followed him and called the police. At one point the defendant stopped and Mr Coffey approached the vehicle. The defendant then drove off at speed.
“Mr Coffey then followed him again until he reached a dead end in Poynton.
“Mr Coffey used his taxi to block him in. The defendant tried to drive off and collided with the taxi’s front bumper and a red car.
“Eventually the defendant got out of the car, sat on the road and started crying, as the police arrived.
“The defendant told police he decided not to pay for the taxi when he realised he didn’t have enough cash.”
Cooper was breathalysed and recorded 68mg. The legal limit is 35mg.
Defending himself, Cooper, a supermarket worker, said: “I have never done anything like this before. My emotions were running high that night.
“It was wrong and I am sorry.”