A ROW over a taxi fare ended with police using CS spray on the passenger.
Graham Read refused to pay the driver £21 after he took him to Hartlepool from Middlesbrough. Police were called when the 43-year-old bolted from the taxi, but he became abusive and was arrested, Hartlepool Magistrates Court heard. Read claimed he negotiated a £15 fare with the driver and became angry when he went back on their agreement.

Alan Davison, prosecuting, said Read had a limited amount of cash on him and when they got to Hartlepool he asked the driver to turn the meter off. Mr Davison added: “The driver refused and when they arrived in Bennett Road the defendant was informed the fare was £21. It was an amount of money he did not have. “He was not happy and became abusive to the taxi driver.”

The court heard that Read made off to Huxley Walk and police were called. “When they arrived the defendant became abusive and had to be sprayed with CS spray,” said Mr Davison. “He was handcuffed and arrested and taken to the police station.” Read, of Huxley Walk, Hartlepool, admitted making off without payment and a public order offence on November 14. In mitigation, Neil Taylor said: “My client feels the taxi driver went back on an agreement.
“He offered £15, but the driver would not have it. “He accepts he was angry and accepts that he swore.” Read was fined £100, ordered to pay £21 compensation and £30 costs. Chairman of the bench Keith Kitchen told him it was a stupid thing to do. He said: “The taxi driver took you home and he expected to be paid.”

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