Fourteen year old boy stabs taxi driver over £5 fare dispute

A 14-year-old boy repeatedly stabbed a Wolverhampton taxi driver who asked for the £5 ride to be paid up front.

The judge at Wolverhampton Crown court heard that the teenager launched the vicious attack on taxi driver Harkawaljit Sarkaria in Moseley after running off with £250 in cash.

The teenager, who can’t be named for legal reasons, was later found by police with a taser disguised as a torch.

Mr Howard Searle, representing the prosecution at the Crown Court, said the boy opened the front door of the vehicle and grabbed the driver’s wallet after a dispute over the fare. The driver then gave chase. The teenager then brandished a knife and stabbed Mr Sarkaria around the shoulder as another passenger in the car then joined in kicking the cabbie and jumping on his taxi. Luckily two members of the public rushed to the scene and helped detain the young suspect until police arrived. The teenage attacker admitted wounding with intent, possession of a disguised firearm, robbery and possession of a knife.

According the Express and Star the Judge Michael Challinor told the boy that “It is shocking that someone as young as you is facing such serious offences.”

The attacker was handed an 18-month detention and training order of which around half will served in prison.

The second youth involved in the attack was dealt with separately.