A MAN accused of failing to pay a £30 fare from Prestatyn to Abergele and repeatedly hitting a taxi driver was spared jail.
Adam Hughes, 22, of Shones Lane, Llay, Wrexham, an aerospace worker, admitted making off without payment last October, threatening behaviour, and common assault on Istvan Harnos.
Prosecutor Diane Williams said at Llandudno court on Wednesday that the victim was cut and bruised.
READ MORE:
- Scan showing clot on patient's lung lay on desk for six days, inquest hears
- Man who stole from Prestatyn Town Football Club jailed
- Police search for man in relation to February assault in McDonald’s in Rhyl
She added that Hughes was on a suspended sentence for assault imposed a few months earlier.
Andrew Scott, defending, said Hughes had been under the influence of alcohol and accepted he shouldn’t have behaved as he did.
He had since “significantly” reduced his drinking and stayed out of trouble.
District judge Gwyn Jones extended the period of the suspended sentence.
Hughes must also carry out 180 hours unpaid work and pay £530 compensation and £85 costs.
Judge Jones said the “unpleasant” offences had taken some time to reach the court. Hughes had also worked constructively with the probation service to deal with the lack of self-control which he’d shown on two occasions.
He said Hughes had become “difficult and obstructive” to the taxi driver when asked for payment.
But the judge added: ”It would be unjust on this occasion to activate the suspended sentence.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here