Father-of-four drove off with taxi

A bakery engineer drove off with a taxi when the cabbie took him to the police station to report his 'bizarre' behaviour, a court heard.
Burnley Magistrates' CourtBurnley Magistrates' Court
Burnley Magistrates' Court

Peter James Devenney (41) struck when the driver, who he thought had taken his wallet, left the engine of the vehicle running and went into Burnley station.

The vehicle, which had a tracker fitted, was found not far away.

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Devenney was nowhere to be seen, but was arrested later after he went into the cab office to get his wallet and beanie hat back.

The town’s magistrates were told how the defendant, who earns about £700-a-week, working up to 100 hours, was said by the cabbie to be drunk.

Devenney claimed he wasn’t and that he had had two cans of lager before the 7pm trouble.

Devenney, of Bowland Avenue, Burnley, admitted taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, on February 6th.

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The father-of-four, in breach of a conditional discharge for a similar offence, was fined £1,000, with a £100 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Mrs Alex Mann, prosecuting, said the driver went to seek help from the police. She continued: “He gets out and when he turns round the car is gone.”

The taxi had a tracker and police went round the corner and found it parked at traffic lights.

Mrs Mann said: “The driver’s door is open. He is no longer there. He had left his hat and wallet so there, of course, is his identification. He was pretty easily traced.”

She added: “The driver describes his behaviour as bizarre.”

Mr David Lawson, defending Devenney, said he wasn’t drunk.

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He was exchanging friendly banter with the driver, who took his actions the wrong way. The defendant had placed his wallet and hat on the dashboard and they must have fallen down.

The solicitor continued: “He believed the taxi driver took his wallet into the police station.”

Mr Lawson said: “There is no suggestion he drove at speed. There is no suggestion anybody else has been put at risk.”

The solicitor said: “Some hours later, he still believed the taxi driver had his wallet.

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“He went back round to the taxi office and he was met with a rather irate taxi operative. He was arrested.”

Mr Lawson said Devenney was the sole provider for the family. His eldest daughter had been accepted to study at Cambridge University. He was a “very skilled” bakery engineer.

The solicitor added: “He tells me that this was a one-off and I don’t think there are any real issues to address.

“He bitterly regrets his actions.”