Northern Ireland

Man jailed for 16 months for hijacking taxi on Christmas Day and assaulting driver

The defendant was jailed for 16 months
The defendant was jailed for 16 months The defendant was jailed for 16 months

A MAN has been jailed for 16 months for hijacking a taxi on Christmas Day and assaulting the driver.

Daryl McMonagle (29) of Clon Elagh in Derry admitted a series of charges relating to the incident on December 25 2021.

Derry Crown Court heard that police were called after the injured party, a taxi driver, reported that his vehicle had been hijacked in the Argyle Terrace area of the city.

He told police the defendant had been a passenger in the vehicle and started arguing over change.

The driver said McMonagle then got into the front of the vehicle and claimed he had a knife and said 'do as I say or I will kill you'.

After the car stopped McMonagle grabbed the car keys and ran off, pursued by the driver who was then punched in the face by the accused.

The defendant then drove off in the car, which was later found in the Collon Lane area.

The driver said he believed that the defendant was 'very intoxicated' but McMonagle refused to give a specimen when arrested.

He was also disqualified from driving for three years.