FINE FOR ARMY MAJOR WHO GRABBED STAFFS CABBIE IN DRUNKEN RAGE AS HE DROVE HER HOME

A senior military officer has been convicted of assaulting a taxi driver during a terrifying, alcohol-fuelled incident.

Major Lianne Robinson, 38, pleaded guilty to battery after grabbing the driver's neck and issuing death threats.

The incident occurred on June 9th, 2023, after Robinson attended a wedding celebration.

Highly intoxicated, she hailed a taxi near Swynnerton, Staffordshire, and demanded to be taken home to Shifnal.

During the journey, Robinson became increasingly aggressive, verbally abusing the driver and demanding he change course.

She grabbed his neck and told him: "I'm in the Army, I will f***ing kill you," repeatedly telling him to turn around "right now" and called him a "f***ing c***".

The terrified driver had noticed Robinson was wearing formal military 'mess' wear and genuinely feared that she was "capable of killing him", prosecutor Suzanne Francis told the court.

The terrified driver, phoned his office, who called the police, and he drove to the taxi firm's office to wait for officers there.

Robinson was arrested and in interviews said she had no recollection of the incident due to the amount of alcohol she had drunk. She told officers she had been drinking from 2pm the previous afternoon.

Dashcam footage captured the harrowing incident, including Robinson's threats and abusive language.

In court, the driver detailed the significant impact the attack had on his mental health and work life.

He now suffers from anxiety and has reduced his working hours due to fear of similar incidents.

Mitigating for Robinson, Debra White said the defendant was "mortified by her behaviour" on the night and "desperately sorry" for the impact it had on the driver.

She had no previous convictions and had led an "exemplary" career in the Army for many years, Miss White said.

Judge Recorder Richard McConaghy condemned Robinson's behaviour, describing it as "utterly appalling" and "arrogant."

He ordered Robinson, of Calne, Wiltshire, to pay a fine of £1,500 and compensation to the driver of £1,000. She must also pay £250 towards the costs of bringing the case to court.

Before she left the court he told her: "Make sure that you don't behave in this way again."

Robinson's actions will also have serious consequences for her military career, potentially leading to dismissal from the Army.

Read another story

NORWICH CABBIE BANNED AFTER LAPSE IN CONCENTRATION CAUSES SERIOUS MOPED CRASH

A 61-year-old Norwich cabbie has been banned from driving after seriously injuring a moped rider in a crash, effectively ending his 40-year career.

HENLEY REGATTA PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER TO PAY OVER £2,000 FOR ILLEGAL RIDES

Muhammad Naeem of High Wycombe was convicted in his absence at Oxfordshire Magistrates' Court on 13 December, after failing to appear.

TAXI DRIVER ARRESTED FOR FAILING CANNABIS TEST DURING COUNTY DURHAM SAFETY CHECKS

The operation, a joint effort between Durham County Council, police, and the DVSA, saw 57 licensed vehicles stopped across Durham City, Darlington, Consett, and Chester-le-Street.

STANSTED AIRPORT TO INTRODUCE BARRIER FREE DROP OFFS WITH ANPR TECHNOLOGY

This new technology, mirroring the successful implementation at the Dartford Crossing, will allow drivers to seamlessly pass through the Express Set Down (ESD) area without the need to stop and pay at a barrier.

COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR HIGHLY REGARDED LAWYER WHO ASSAULTED JERSEY TAXI DRIVER

David Samuel Steenson pleaded guilty to common assault in the Magistrate's Court, admitting to punching the driver, who sustained multiple cuts and bruises to his face.

POLICE AND COUNCIL CRACKDOWN ON ROGUE TAXIS OVER CHRISTMAS IN WREXHAM

Wrexham residents are being warned to be vigilant against unlicensed taxis operating during the festive season, as police and council officials launch a joint crackdown.

EAST SUFFOLK TAXI DRIVER ACQUITTED OF ASSAULTING 80 YEAR OLD MAN IN ROAD RAGE INCIDENT

Nikolaos Boutelis, 61, faced charges of causing actual bodily harm stemming from an incident on March 25, 2022, in Reydon.

12 MONTHS JAIL FOR ST HELENS THUG WHO KICKED CABBIE AND THREATENED HIM WITH ACID ATTACK

Calvin Elliott, 31, from Rainhill, verbally abused and assaulted Ahmed Shebaz after the driver asked him to leave his drinks outside the vehicle.

ANOTHER MAN ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF THE MURDER OF A NOTTINGHAM CABBIE 30 YEARS AGO

Ethsham Ul-Haq Ghafoor, 26, known to his friends and family as Shami, was shot dead in his taxi on Tuesday 22 November 1994.

NORTH YORKSHIRE TAXI DRIVERS FEAR NEW RULES COULD DRIVE THEM OUT OF BUSINESS

North Yorkshire Council is revising its hackney carriage policies to increase the availability of wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs) and comply with equality legislation.

DERBY PRIVATE HIRE DRIVERS FURIOUS OVER UNFAIR BUS LANE RESTRICTION

The drivers argue that the bus gate restriction on Corporation Street is causing them to lose customers and get stuck in unnecessary queues.

ONE DRIVER SUSPENDED AND OTHERS WARNED FOLLOWING TAXI SPOT CHECKS IN NE LINCS

38 drivers were checked, alongside the condition of their vehicle, as well as their licence, insurance, tyres, lights and vehicle tax.

BEDFORD COUNCIL APPROVES SIGNIFICANT RISE IN TAXI AND PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE LICENCE FEES

Despite expressing reluctance, Bedford Borough Council's General Licensing Committee has approved a significant increase in fees for taxi and private hire vehicle licences, effective March 2025.

MID SUSSEX TAXI DRIVERS TO ACCEPT CARD PAYMENTS FOLLOWING COUNCIL DECISION

The decision comes after an eight-week public consultation and aims to address concerns raised by residents regarding the safety and convenience of cash-only transactions.

DAWLISH TAXI FIRM OWNERS NAMED BY TEIGNBRIDGE DISTRICT COUNCIL AFTER LOSING LICENCES

Michael Miller and Grace Miller, of Grab A Cab, lost their hackney carriage proprietor and driver licences following a series of complaints alleging aggressive and abusive behaviour, threats and intimidation.

£1.6M ASSET REFINANCE DEAL DRIVES GROWTH OF LEADING LONDON EV COMPANY - SHERBET

A leading eco-friendly electric taxi company based in central London is driving forward with its ambitious growth plans and opening a new local community hub, after securing a £1.6m asset refinance deal.

ARGYLL AND BUTE CONSIDERS TAXI FARE HIKE DESPITE LOW OPERATOR RESPONSE

Only eight out of 101 taxi operators across the region responded to the council's consultation on potential fare increases, which ran from October 24 to December 2.

UNLICENSED KINGS LYNN PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER TO PAY OVER £2,000 FOLLOWING UNDERCOVER STING