Source: Shields Gazette by Matt casey
A DRUNKEN man caused almost £2,000 worth of damage to a taxi after kicking out in a row with a woman, South Tyneside magistrates were told.
The woman and a friend were in the back seat of the taxi at about 3.45am in Anderson Street, South Shields, when the trouble erupted as Dean Salem opened the door and started arguing with them, said Glenda Beck, prosecuting.
The driver asked him to stop and go away, but Salem began kicking out at the taxi, damaging the rear arch panels. The driver called police and got out to confront Salem, who squar-ed up to him and shouted: “What’s your problem, then?”
Police arrived and arrested Salem who told them: “I’ve had £20-worth of pints and I’m tipsy.”
Later, in an interview, he said he could remember little about the incident, although he admitted kicking out at the taxi, blaming his actions on drink.
Ms Beck said the damage to the taxi was so severe, it had to be taken off road until it was repaired.
The total cost of the repair was £1,775, but the driver was claiming only the insurance excess of £400.
Rachel Gedney, mitigating, said:”Salem has a fairly limited recollection of what happened because of the amount he had to drink.
“The police did consider a caution, but that would have meant the injured person being paid the compensation within four months at the rate of £100 a month.
“But Salem is on job seekers allowance and couldn’t afford that amount, so, basically, the court is being asked to sort out how the compensation will be paid.”
Salem, 21, of Hucklow Gardens, South Shields, who admitted criminal damage, was given a conditional discharge and ordered to pay £400 compensation.
The figure will be added to the amount the court receives from his benefits for previous fines.
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