Justice has been served for the taxi trade as two men have been put behind bars for an attack on a Guildford taxi driver.
Callum Hollingsworth and Ryan Yeates were picked up at Guildford railway station by 59 year old taxi driver, Ghutantar Raja, after a night out in summer last year. Unbeknown to Mr Raja, the men had 34 convictions for 73 offences between them.
Prosecutor Rachel Lane told Guildford Crown Court: “Mr Raja described the males as noisy, acting stupidly during the journey and drinking alcohol.
“The pair were told they couldn’t do that and at that point there was some swearing at Mr Raja.”
The Attack
Mr Raja is understood to have remained calm throughout the journey but upon their arrival in Farncombe the pair turned nasty. Mr Hollingsworth, who is described by Surrey Police as the “ringleader”, was sitting behind the driver seat and is said to have grabbed Mr Raja from behind, pinning him to his seat.
Ms Lane continued: “Whilst Mr Raja was restrained, Mr Yeates, who was sat in the front of the taxi, punched him three or four times to the face causing severe bruising.
“Mr Yeates also reached into Mr Raja’s pocket and removed his wallet containing approximately £90. The men then got out of the taxi and fled. Mr Raja reported it to the police immediately.”
The two men were arrested the following day and police found Mr Raja’s wallet at Hollingsworth’s property.
Justice for the Taxi Trade
Mr Yeates, pleading guilty to one count of robbery, read a letter to the court via a video link from High Down Prison. He said: “Your honour, may I, through this letter, take this opportunity to express my remorse for this awful crime.
“I’m not writing this letter to make excuses for the dreadful crime I committed. I know nothing will excuse my behaviour. I’ll regret it for a long time.”
“I’m not writing this letter to make excuses for the dreadful crime I committed. I know nothing will excuse my behaviour. I’ll regret it for a long time.”
At trial, Yeates was sentenced to two years and six months in custody and was told that at least half of that would be spent behind bars.
Judge Robert Fraser commented: “I’ve no doubt that peer pressure is a significant factor in driving your offending. You’ve shown, by your actions, a genuine remorse for what you did.”
Mr Hollingsworth denied all charges. His legal representative, Jon Hamilton, said: “It’s right to say Mr Hollingsworth is, you will see, a 22-year-old man who has a long and very sad history.
Mr Hamilton handed letters to the judge, adding: “The reason I handed those letters up and start with them is, if you read the pre-sentence report one could take the view of Mr Hollingsworth as a young man without direction and support. I hope your honour sees that is not the case.”
Mr Hamilton told the court that Hollingsworth had ADHD and characteristics of a personality disorder, which could be worked on with treatment and that Hollingsworth was in acceptance of this.”
“You don’t learn from your mistakes and certainly haven’t shown remorse for your actions that night.”
Despite Mr Hollingsworth’s plea of innocence, he was sentenced to five years in custody as well as a three-year period on licence after his sentence.
Judge Fraser said: “You don’t learn from your mistakes and certainly haven’t shown remorse for your actions that night.”
Judge Fraser added that he felt there was “a significant risk” that Hollingsworth would commit further offences and deemed him harmful to the public.
It’s great to see these criminals being taken off our streets and put where they belong!