A Lichfield soldier who went AWOL admitted assaulting a taxi driver and making off without paying the fare.

Shane Harrison, aged 19, of Valley Lane, had got a taxi with two friends to a party in Rowley Close, Hednesford, in the early hours of September 16.

When the taxi arrived at its destination, the three men ran off and did not pay the £16.85 taxi fare, Cannock magistrates heard.

But then Private Harrison, who serves with the Staffordshire Regiment, realised that he had left his phone in the cab and went back to get it. He offered the taxi driver, Ahmed Syed, £20 to cover the fare and asked for his phone back.
http://www.expressandstar.co.uk/2006/12/20/taxi-attack-by-soldier/