Post by JP on Jan 12, 2005 23:13:06 GMT 1
An ice hockey player has been accused of robbing and punching a female taxi-driver.
Newcastle Vipers player Shaun Johnson, 31, denied a charge of robbery when he appeared at Durham Crown Court yesterday.
Johnson instead claims he and Vipers team-mate Michael Tasker got out of the taxi and fled without paying.
Michael Graham, prosecuting, told the court that taxi driver Nichola Campbell had picked up Johnson and Tasker - who is not charged with any offence - outside the Deep nightclub on Whitley Bay seafront in the early hours of June 18 last year.
Mr Graham said Ms Campbell, a driver with Citadel Taxis in Killingworth, told the pair that the fare to Durham City would be between £35 and £37 and that she would need some of the money up front. It was alleged the men gave her £20 each which she put on the dashboard next to the meter.
Mr Graham said: "She was directed to Langley Park, to Finnings Avenue, where the other man, Michael Tasker got out.
"At the time Ms Campbell assumed she would be taking Mr Johnson on to where he lived. At this point the meter showed £35.
"As she pulled away, the defendant struck her on the back of the head. She recalls him saying that the cost was too high and that `all you black cabs are robbers'.
"She was punched a second time. The defendant then leaned forward and snatched the two £20 notes they had paid."
Mr Graham told the court that as the taxi driver had pulled away the two men had proceeded to "shout and gloat".
The court heard that the pair had been at Newcastle United's St James' Park earlier in the evening watching a screen showing one of England's matches in Euro 2004.
Mr Graham said that Ms Campbell recalled that the men had had "quite a bit to drink".
Johnson - who at the time of his arrest was playing for a team in Coventry - was arrested on July 25 after camera footage from the Deep club was examined.
The court was told that in a police interview Johnson admitted being in the taxi with Tasker but claimed the robbery simply did not take place.
However, he did admit to the police that the plan was to avoid payment of the fare.
Johnson, of Netherton Close, Langley Park, who gave his profession as a tiler and semi-professional ice-hockey player, said he could not recall handing over any money but added: "We got out and ran away without paying the fare".
The trial continues.
Newcastle Vipers player Shaun Johnson, 31, denied a charge of robbery when he appeared at Durham Crown Court yesterday.
Johnson instead claims he and Vipers team-mate Michael Tasker got out of the taxi and fled without paying.
Michael Graham, prosecuting, told the court that taxi driver Nichola Campbell had picked up Johnson and Tasker - who is not charged with any offence - outside the Deep nightclub on Whitley Bay seafront in the early hours of June 18 last year.
Mr Graham said Ms Campbell, a driver with Citadel Taxis in Killingworth, told the pair that the fare to Durham City would be between £35 and £37 and that she would need some of the money up front. It was alleged the men gave her £20 each which she put on the dashboard next to the meter.
Mr Graham said: "She was directed to Langley Park, to Finnings Avenue, where the other man, Michael Tasker got out.
"At the time Ms Campbell assumed she would be taking Mr Johnson on to where he lived. At this point the meter showed £35.
"As she pulled away, the defendant struck her on the back of the head. She recalls him saying that the cost was too high and that `all you black cabs are robbers'.
"She was punched a second time. The defendant then leaned forward and snatched the two £20 notes they had paid."
Mr Graham told the court that as the taxi driver had pulled away the two men had proceeded to "shout and gloat".
The court heard that the pair had been at Newcastle United's St James' Park earlier in the evening watching a screen showing one of England's matches in Euro 2004.
Mr Graham said that Ms Campbell recalled that the men had had "quite a bit to drink".
Johnson - who at the time of his arrest was playing for a team in Coventry - was arrested on July 25 after camera footage from the Deep club was examined.
The court was told that in a police interview Johnson admitted being in the taxi with Tasker but claimed the robbery simply did not take place.
However, he did admit to the police that the plan was to avoid payment of the fare.
Johnson, of Netherton Close, Langley Park, who gave his profession as a tiler and semi-professional ice-hockey player, said he could not recall handing over any money but added: "We got out and ran away without paying the fare".
The trial continues.
I'm shocked
Thankfully (from what i've head) Shaun was found not guilty - i'll let you all know for definate as soon i know!
