Yobs filmed attack on helpless cabbie (From Swindon Advertiser)

Yobs filmed attack on helpless cabbie

8:00am Saturday 26th July 2008

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HAPPY slapping yobs filmed themselves beating a cab driver senseless.

The drunken gang of Swindon teenagers left Mark Boditch for dead when they stole his taxi.

Five teenagers admitted their part in the attack at Gloucester Crown Court yesterday.

Ben Blackmore, 18, of Naunton Road, Walcot, drank a bottle a bottle of Jack Daniel’s whiskey before the attack.

His barrister told the court this was an example of the drinking culture of today’s young people.

Paul Orton, defending said: “The society we live in encourages them to go and drink. That’s how it is and that’s how it was on this particular night.”

Blackmore, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent on Mr Boditch and aggravated taking of his taxi. He was sentenced to four and a half years detention and banned from driving for three years.

Laura Taylor, 18, of Essex Walk, Walcot, filmed her friends trying to steal money from the glove box of Mr Boditch’s cab, and Blackmore attacking the driver. Witnesses described seeing Blackmore stamp on the driver’s head.

Her recording of the mayhem inside the cab before and after Mr Boditch was attacked and left at the roadside was played to Judge William Hart.

The judge watched the jeering, chanting and intimidating behaviour of the gang of teens in the taxi as Mr Bowditch pleaded with them to get out because they were overloading the vehicle.

Nick O’Brien, prosecuting, told the court V-Cars cabbie Mr Boditch took a fare to Lechlade, on October 20 and agreed to take Blackmore and friends back to Swindon.

Mr O’Brien said the youths had been drinking in a Lechlade pub – even though some were under age – and had been drawing attention to themselves by their rowdiness.

“Six people got into the taxi and Mr Bowditch refused to take them all because he was only licensed for four,” he said.

“He got out of his car but then realised that the front seat passenger was looking in his glove box and another part of the car where he kept money. He leaned in and tried to stop it. But he was then pulled away and attacked by Blackmore. Some witnesses said they saw him stamp on Mr Boditch’s face.”

While Mr Boditch lay unconscious on the ground Taylor leaned down and took his car keys from his pocket.

She made no attempt to help him – she simply got in the taxi and tried to drive it but kept stalling it because of her inexperience.

Blackmore then got behind the wheel but crashed the cab near Supermarine Football Club.

Taylor admitted aggravated vehicle taking but was spared custody and ordered to do 150 hour of unpaid community work and put on a curfew.

Jake Morgan, 18, of Hamilton Close, Walcot, admitted being carried in the cab after it was taken without consent was given a three months detention sentence.

A boy and girl, aged 15, and 17, admitted being carried in the cab. The boy, from Walcot, was remitted to the youth court to receive a referral order while his sister, from Toothill, was placed under supervision for a year with a two-month home curfew.

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