Prolific offender sentenced for assaulting Essex taxi driver and drug offences
Updated: Dec 22, 2024
A 23-year-old man who caused significant disruption in Harlow has been jailed for a string of offences, including a violent attack on a taxi driver.
Jordan Reilly appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court last week, where he was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for crimes committed over the past four years. His convictions include assault occasioning actual bodily harm, assaulting an emergency worker, carrying a knife in public, and involvement in drug supply.
The most serious incident occurred in August 2020 when Reilly, along with others, was picked up by a taxi in Harlow. He became verbally abusive towards the driver, leading to the group being asked to leave the vehicle. The aggression escalated, and Reilly launched a physical attack, punching the driver repeatedly and kicking him to the ground.
The driver's panic alert signal drew other taxi drivers and police officers to the scene.
Reilly was tracked down that night after matching witness descriptions, and evidence linked him to the attack. While in custody, he threw water at an officer.
In addition to this incident, Reilly faced sentencing for carrying a knife in Harlow in January 2023 and his involvement in cannabis supply. These offences were prosecuted under the Clear, Hold, Build initiative—a Home Office-supported project tackling crime and community harm in The Stow area of Harlow.
The project has led to the arrest of over 20 individuals connected to drug-related crime and gang violence. Reilly's conviction marks another step in efforts to address criminal behaviour in the area.
Inspector Leanne Archer said: “Although these offences dated back some time, Reilly’s denial of the awful assault he committed saw a lengthy wait for a trial.
“A jury saw through his lies and he was rightly convicted of his part in an unprovoked attack on a hard-working taxi driver.
“We were determined to build solid cases against Reilly and ensure he received a prison sentence.
“Taking offenders like him off the streets of The Stow, and wider Harlow, has been a priority running throughout Clear, Hold, Build.
“It’s really important the law-abiding community in Harlow continue to tell us about offending like drug dealing and anti-social behaviour.
“Drug dealing is inextricably linked to serious violence and other types of crime including robbery and shoplifting.
“The more we know, the more we can do to keep the community safe from this type of offending.”
