Driver slashed in taxi horror
Psychiatric reports have been ordered for a robber who slashed a taxi driver with a knife after being picked up in Northampton.
Gareth Stevens, aged 21, of Wordsworth Road, Daventry, appeared at Northampton Crown Court yesterday to be sentenced after he admitted robbery and possessing a knife last month.
Stephen Crouch, prosecuting, told the court that Stevens was picked up in Semilong Road, Semilong, and driven to the Headlands estate in Daventry for a fare of 26 on May 12, but he assaulted the driver on arrival.
He said: "The next thing the driver remembers is being knocked to the floor. He fell unconscious and received numerous injuries to his face, which included a cut to his left ear."
He also told the court the assault was witnessed by someone watching from a nearby bedroom window who phoned the police.
When officers arrived at the scene they found a knife with a four-inch blade and a photograph of a girl.
One of the officers recognised her as 18-year-old Leah Pointon and police went to her home.
However, when officers arrived there, Pointon refused to let them in and was abusive.
The court heard that when they forced entry, they heard someone moving around in the loft space. It was found to be Stevens and he was arrested.
Pointon, of Wordsworth Road, Daventry, who was also in court yesterday, was given a conditional discharge for two years for obstructing a police officer and assisting an offender.
Richard Holloway, defending, said she suffered from low self-esteem and had stopped drinking alcohol since the incident.
Recorder Alistair Wright told Pointon: "I think I can probably infer that you acted stupidly out of panic.
"You appear to demonstrate motivation to stay out of trouble and seem to have a clear direction of what type of work you wish to undertake."
Recorder Wright warned her that, if she did commit further crimes, her sentence would be "very different".
Sentencing of Stevens was postponed until next month so a psychiatric report can be completed.
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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