Taxi-driver was robbed

Press, 6 October 1988, Page 22

Taxi-driver was robbed

Two drunken and drugged youths who held up a taxi-driver at knifepoint and then comandeered his taxi which was later abandoned after the radio was smashed and the headlights kicked in, were jailed for 18 months by Mr Justice Williamson, in the High Court yesterday. Craig Louis Healey and Andrew Reynish, both aged 18 and unemployed, had pleaded guilty in the District Court to a charge of aggravated robbery. About midnight on August 25, a Gold Band taxi-driver picked up Healey, Reynish, and another male and a female at the corner of Gilberthorpes and Waterloo Roads in Hornby, the police statement said. They were driven to Awatea Road in Wigram, where Healey produced a knife and demanded the driver’s wallet. The driver was pulled out of the vehicle and ordered to open the boot so that the group could get their beer. The driver’s wallet could not be found, and it was decided to take the taxi. They drove off, leaving the driver. Reynish helped smash the radio. The vehicle was abandoned at Prebbleton after Reynish smashed the headlights. The group was found a short time later, said the police statement.

Miss Kristina O’Connor, for Healey, said that the original intention was to take a taxi ride and then run off without paying. There was some difficulty in getting their beer out of the boot and a scuffle developed. Healey was called a chicken by his companions, and produced the knife. He was terrified at the turn events had taken and had no intention of using the weapon. It was a foolish and illconceived offence. Healey had a drug and alcohol problem. Although it was he who produced the knife, there was no violence or injury to the driver. Healey did not know the co-offenders and had met them for the first time that night. He had no previous convictions and periodic detention would be the most appropriate sentence, submitted Miss O’Connor. Mrs Jeanette Aickin, for Reynish, said that the offence occurred on her client’s 18th birthday. He had been drinking ilyThe offence had not been his idea. He had got carried away because of alcohol. Reynish had spent the week-end in custody and it had a very bad effect on him. He had played a lesser role than the other

offenders. He had a severe addiction to alcohol and drugs, for which he was receiving treatment. Reynish had the support of a de facto wife, who was expecting a baby in November, Mrs Aicken said. Mr Justice Williamson said that the maximum term for aggravated robbery was 14 years jail, which showed how seriously the offence was viewed. As counsel had stated, the Criminal Justice Act obliged the Court to impose imprisonment when an offender used serious violence against a person or caused danger to the safety of any person. “In my view, the use of a knife does create a situation of serious danger. The Courts have made it clear that if persons are involved in violence towards others, then imprisonment will follow, and if weapons are used then a substantial period of imprisonment must follow,” his Honour said. While he accepted that Healey and Reynish were not the main offenders, it was clear that while the offence was ill-conceived, it had been planned. There had been a discussion beforehand about what would happen, and about the use of the knife. Healey had played a significant part, as he had

held the knife. He was a first offender and had a supportive family. He claimed that he did not know that there was an intention to take the taxi. “Your conduct is only explainable in terms of alcohol consumption and the use of drugs, particularly cannabis,” Mr Justice Williamson said. Reynish came from a broken home, and he had had problems. He had had convictions for burglary and attempted burglary, and had been treated leniently with only fines being imposed. He had abused alcohol and drugs, particularly cannabis and valium. On this day he had been drinking and taking speed tablets. A report stated that Reynish had had a drug and alcohol problem, which began about the age of 12. His emotional state had caused concern to relatives in recent months and he required psychiatric treatment for his depression. He had the help of a supportive and sensible girl friend. Both had used cannabis on this night and were regular users. “Courts frequently see the results of the use of such drugs, and it is sad to read still that some persons in our community advocate the free use of cannabis.