A taxi-driver had agreed to drive the drunken defendant home. He stopped to get better directions from the defendant. There was an argument and the defendant accused the taxi driver of taking a diversion to increase the fare. The taxi-driver, being unable to obtain a proper destination drove the defendant to the police station. T appealed against his conviction for making off without payment.
Held: The appeal succeeded. As the journey was not yet complete, the taxi driver was in breach of contract in not taking the defendant home, and therefore no lawful demand for payment could be made or avoided.
Citations:
[1987] Crim LR 138
Statutes:
Jurisdiction:
England and Wales
Crime
Updated: 28 September 2022; Ref: scu.545137