I think we should be allowed to use this defence any time we're stopped by the cops
Man jailed for hijacking taxi and injuring garda during high-speed chaseTaxi driver attacked and slashed by knife
Taxi stolen & hi-speed chase from Ballymun to Finglas
Two garda cars rammed
Garda hit and thrown against car, huge gash in arm, almost lost arm through blood loss, 30 stitches
Garda gets his day in court; no mention of the taxi driver's injuries & post-trauma damages
e30,000 damage
wait for it...
Judge O’Connor said the aggravating factors in the case were the violent seizure of the taxi, the risk to road users and gardaí, the damage of over €30,000 to the cars and the impact on the victims.
wait for it...
She said the mitigating factors in the case were his guilty plea, his admissions to gardaí, his genuine remorse, his previous good character and his impressive employment record.
wait for it... And...
Michael Bowman SC, defending, said his client was disgusted at his actions and could not remember the incident as he had been drinking and taking cocaine that evening.
You poor thing...
Judge Karen O’Connor sentenced Ward to three and a half years imprisonment, but suspended the final 21 months on condition that he keep the peace and be of good behaviour for 21 months and that he follow the directions of the probation service for 12 months post-release.
Judge O’Connor said he should receive credit for any time he has spent in custody on this matter. She also disqualified him from driving for a period of two years.
By my maths, that's 13 months in jail (incl time off for good behaviour) (plus any time he's already served).
