Driver-attack mum narrowly evades jail

A DRUNKEN young mum who attacked the taxi driver trying to help her avoided prison only because her five-year-old daughter and ailing mother would then have no carer.

Kelly Battye (24) snatched Ghazunfer Ali’s glasses off his face, hurled them out of the car window and lashed out at him - while holding a wine glass.

Sentencing her at Manchester Crown Court, Judge Leslie Hull told her: “You will probably never realise how close you came to going straight to prison.”

The court was told single mum Battye, of Carnation Road, Holts, had issues with another driver from taxi firm Premier Cars who picked her up at home last February 20. She came out to the car holding a full wine glass and appearing drunk.

The driver was concerned by her behaviour in the car and took her to the taxi company’s office, where Mr Ali tried to assist by offering to drive her where she wanted to go, an address in Spencer Street.

When they arrive, Battye told him it was the wrong house and she wanted to go to Chadderton. She said she had no money to pay and Mr Ali said he wouldn’t take her any further.

Battye snatched his glasses and hurled them out of the window, breaking them. He got out and as he tried to find them she attacked him and cut his face.

Mr Ali later told police she had chased him round his car and screamed at him. He had lost work time and earnings in the following weeks.

Caroline Patrick, defending, said her client had been struggling following the breakdown of a long-term relationship and had turned to alcohol. She said Battye panicked when she thought she was being abandoned in the middle of what she believed was an industrial estate without money, when she wanted to go to a friend’s address in Chadderton.

Ms Patrick said Battye now felt “utterly ashamed” of her actions that night.

The court heard she has full responsibility for her five-year-old daughter and was the main carer for her mother.

Battye, who pleaded guilty to offences of unlawful wounding and criminal damage, was sentenced to a total of 13 months, suspended for 12 months. She was ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and to take part in a rehabilitation programme.

Judge Hull told her there was no question she deserved prison: “This driver came to your assistance and you snatched his glasses then hit him with the hand holding the wine glass. It is fortunate that thanks to medical assistance, scarring will be minimal.”