VIOLENT THUG THROTTLED CABBIE
Man is jailed for ‘out-of-control aggression and violence’ on taxi driver
A passenger choked and robbed a taxi driver after taking a journey he had no money to pay for.
Dylan Walt attacked the cabbie, who had COPD and emphysema, before taking bank notes and car keys from him during a late-night attack in August.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the driver described the terrifying ordeal as “lifechanging” and prompted him to take early retirement from his taxi career.
The court heard Walt, who had drank a bottle of vodka and has little recollection of what he did, had been dropped off outside his mother’s house in Sunderland in the nine-seater cab, but did not have money for the fare.
When the 21-year-old went inside the house to see if he could get any cash, the cabbie stepped out of his vehicle.
It was while the taxi driver was standing at the roadside that Walt attacked him from behind, pulled him to the ground then used the car keys to drive back and forwards, crashing into two fences in the process.
Walt eventually ran away from the stricken cabbie and his taxi.
When he was tracked down and arrested, Walt spat phlegm and blood into the face of a female police officer, which left her feeling “physically sick”.
Walt, of Cheltenham Road, Hylton Castle, Sunderland, admitted robbery, aggravated vehicle taking, criminal damage, common assault, obstructing a police constable, failing to provide a specimen and driving with no licence or insurance.
Judge Edward Bindloss sentenced him to three-anda-half years behind bars with a 33-month driving ban.
The judge told him: “You attacked him from behind, throttled him to his neck, pulled him to the ground and landed on top of him.
“This was aggravated by the fact he has poor health, he has COPD, emphysema and breathing problems.
“Your throttling him was of particular concern.
“This was not cool and premeditated, this was outof-control aggression and violence that was spur of the moment.”
Walt has a long criminal record which includes convictions for violence.
Vic Laffey, defending, said Walt has led a “chaotic” lifestyle, but has never before committed such a serious offence.
Mr Laffey said Walt had been on a “bender” before the attack and added: “He is very keen to write the victim and explain himself, or try to explain himself, and apologise for what he has done.”
“This was out-ofcontrol aggression and violence” JUDGE BINDLOSS