Taxi driver spared jail

http://www.herefordtimes.com/news/3101254.Taxi_driver_spared_jail/

 9th April 2008


A HEREFORD taxi driver who left a man with a deep cut to his face after attacking him with a saw has been spared a prison sentence.


Witnesses in the centre of Hereford also saw Tristan Roantree, of Aconbury Avenue, Putson, hurl an ice hockey boot at Christopher O’Neill during the scuffle on August 5 last year.

Adam Western, prosecuting, told Hereford Crown Court that taxi driver Roantree, aged 24, had been driving down Broad Street while on duty at around 7.30pm when he was flagged down by Mr O’Neill, who was walking with his brother.

Mr Western described Roantree as “angry” as he stepped from his vehicle and took out the hockey boot before throwing it at Mr O’Neil, narrowly missing him.

He then produced a two-foot wooden saw before a struggle took place which left both with injuries.

CCTV images of the disturbance, which left Mr O’Neill with a seven centimetre laceration to his left cheek, were shown to the court. Roantree was then seen to drive off.

He was later arrested and pleaded guilty to one charge of unlawful wounding.

Timothy Sapwell, for Roantree, said his client was devastated about what happened and had lost his job as a result.

He told the court the confrontation occured after Mr O’Neill had provoked Roantree when he flagged down the taxi. Roantree himself suffered facial injuries, added Mr Sapwell.

Roantree’s behaviour was described as “grossly out of character” for a man with no previous convictions. Mr Sapwell said credit should also be given to his client for phoning the police straight after the altercation.

Judge John Cavell said it was difficult to know what possessed Roantree to act as he did, saying his reaction was “extraordinary”.

He accepted his behaviour was out of character and that he was unlikely to repeat his actions.

Roantree was given a nine-month suspended prison sentence, and an 18-month supervision order. Part of the order required him to attend an anger management course.

He was also ordered to pay Mr O’Neill £300 compensation.

There has to be more to it than this surely?