A woman who terrorised a taxi driver in County Durham has been sentenced to three years in jail.
Natasha Brown got into taxi driver Chris Baker’s cab on the Chester-le-Street rank on the evening of January the 7th. Flashing a five pound note she asked to be taken to her home on Second Avenue.
Horrific Ordeal
On arrival, she handed over the fiver and Mr Baker returned her £2 change. She then claimed that she’d given Mr Baker a £20 note and demanded that he give her more money.
When Mr Baker protested she flipped at him, yelling “Do you know I’m a street fighter?” then proceeded to repeatedly punch him in the face.
Miss Brown fled the scene but not before grabbing £50 from Mr Baker’s pocket, ripping out the taxi meter and stealing his aftershave.
A terrified Mr Baker drove off in a hurry to escape his attacker, who he believed was following him, and in a state of panic he crashed into a school crossing.
CCTV Footage
Durham Police were notified of the incident and luckily CCTV footage was found with a clear picture of Mr Baker’s attacker getting into his cab.
When officers arrived at Miss Brown’s home they found her in possession of the taxi meter and the aftershave.
At a trial on the 3rd of November, at Durham Crown Court, the jury heard how Miss Baker, while on bail, had “gone off the rails” and continued to terrorise others including her ex-partner.
Justice for Taxi Driver
Defending Miss Brown, Lorraine Mustard said that Miss Baker had been drinking heavily due to personal issues but, since her last remand in custody, was “full of remorse”.
Prosecuting, Sophie Drake, said that after putting a “vulnerable” taxi driver through a nightmare ordeal Miss Brown then ran “a campaign of terror” on her ex-partner.
23 year old, Miss Brown, admitted to the charges of robbery and harassment and was sentenced to three years in prison.