Taxi driver stabbed by Cobridge drug user Matthew Hollins
A DRUG user who stabbed a taxi driver has been jailed for two years.
Matthew Hollins, aged 22, was disarmed by members of the public who went to the driver's aid on the afternoon of May 21, Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard yesterday.
But his co-accused, Yasmine Warrilow-Degg, returned to the scene and picked the knife up from the floor and waved it at those who intervened and threatened to stab them.
Prosecutor David Bennett told the court that the pair had called a taxi at midday to take them from Cobridge to Stoke.
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Warrilow-Degg went into a house off London Road, Stoke, while Hollins waited in the taxi.
After 10 minutes she returned and they asked to go back to Cobridge.
"The driver stopped at a cash point at the request of the defendants. Warrilow-Degg got out and ran away," said Mr Bennett.
"Hollins tried to leave the taxi. The driver believed he was not going to receive payment for the journey so he took hold of Hollins's arm and told him to pay the fare.
"He realised that Hollins was holding a kitchen knife, which he used to stab the driver three of four times.
"Others intervened and tried to take the knife from Hollins and stop him from leaving.
"Warrilow-Degg returned and took up the knife from the floor, waved it at those who intervened and made a threat to stab them.
"Both defendants then ran off."
The driver was left with deep puncture wounds to his inner left forearm.
Police later arrested both of the defendants at an address in Waterloo Road, Cobridge, later that afternoon. The driver identified Hollins the following day.
Hollins, of Stansgate Place, Cobridge, who has convictions for 37 offences, pleaded guilty to wounding and possessing a bladed article.
Warrilow-Degg, aged 30, of the same address, who has convictions for 77 offences, pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article.
Jason Holt, mitigating for Hollins, said the taxi journey was to 'score drugs'.
He added his client's life had been 'somewhat tragic' but he was realistic and knew he would be going to prison.
Robert Smith, representing Warrilow-Degg, conceded she had an 'unenviable record' but said she was beginning to show signs of maturing.
Judge Paul Glenn said it was an unpleasant for the driver who was doing his job.
"He needed an operation and no doubt found it a very frightening experience," said the judge.
Jailing Hollins for two years, Judge Glenn said: "Courts are very concerned about the carrying of knives, which seems to have become something of a culture.
"It is quite plain your drug problem has underpinned a lot of your offending."
The judge sentenced Warrilow-Degg to a 12-month community order with supervision and a requirement to attend a thinking skills programme.
He told her: "You pleaded guilty to possession of a knife for a limited time period to enable Hollins to escape."
Comments
by camband
Friday, October 19 2012, 12:36PM
“I grew up in Cobridge during the war and up to 1953 -and it was never like this then. It was a great place with a terrific community spirit.
Mothers in the Park with their prams; the Bowling Greens in perfect condition and always full of well dressed old men and younger; the Tennis Courts similarly well maintained and always full of young players....
The 'puffer-trains' (steam engines) -stopping at the adjacent Cobridge Station -with the Train Drivers waving to the toddlers and young kids sitting with their mothers and siblings on the grassy embankment that overlooked the station... making 'daisy-chains'.
I know I paint a lovely picture -But it was like that. Bygone days before the telly, before the widespread ownership of motor cars; before computers, and mobile 'phones (-land-line 'phones for only 5% of households; ... oh, and yes, before the 'other drugs' -besides alcohol.
I know many lived in slums too, but .....”
by PlayboyLeaLea
Friday, October 19 2012, 1:48AM
“and there's me walking from home to work and back every day through cobridge. i am actually starting to think i am lucky... not to even be asked the time by these thugs... starting to think i shouldn't be in this area, been in sneyd now for 15 years... time to move on.....”
by Anon_mow_cop
Thursday, October 18 2012, 5:53PM
“I thought it was 5 years inside for carrying a knife ???”
by arthurheath1
Thursday, October 18 2012, 3:51PM
“Quite right.”
by Redpitlad
Thursday, October 18 2012, 12:44PM
“judge Paul Glenn...yet more out standing sentences handed out to violent knife carrying scum ......is it any wonder they have 114 offences between them with this sort of soft justice.
quote judge Glenn said it was unpleasant for the driver doing his job..he needed a operation which no doubt he must have found a very frightening experience....
with statements like that God help us all....”
by camband
Thursday, October 18 2012, 12:04PM
“by spudder56
"Lovely people just shows what drugs do to people" Unquote.
Yip, 'slurring their words' -on the beer as well.”
by graham44d
Thursday, October 18 2012, 12:01PM
“Why such soft sentencing.....Look at both their previous conviction well in and over the twentys......Should have both got a minimum of five years.”
by spudder56
Thursday, October 18 2012, 11:54AM
“Lovely people just shows what drugs do to people”
by Robnoxious
Thursday, October 18 2012, 11:44AM
“Nearly right= Cobdruge”
by Anon_mow_cop
Thursday, October 18 2012, 11:21AM
“"Taxi driver stabbed by Cobdrige drug",is that anywhere near Cobridge ????? Is there anybody at the Sentinel who can spell or proof-read your articles ????.”