Taxi terror jailed for five and a half years after brutal Tesco car park attack
Uber ride turns violent in Tesco car park
A 33-year-old man savagely attacked an Uber driver in a Tesco car park following a heated row during their ride. Declan Devine, from Panfield Road, Wythenshawe, was sentenced at manchester-crown-court/" title="Manchester Crown Court" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Manchester Crown Court yesterday (April 24) to five and a half years behind bars.
The terrifying incident took place on July 2, 2022. Devine got into the Uber smoking a cigarette but soon fell out with the driver over the car’s speed. The argument forced the driver to pull over at a Tesco store on Chorlton Road.
Feeling uneasy, the driver cancelled the ride on the app and tried to leave the car park. But Devine gave chase and tried to force open the car door.
“Mr. Devine attacked the victim. The pair exchanged blows, and the driver quickly fell to the ground,” prosecutor Philip Hall said. “CCTV footage shows Devine stamping on the victim while he was motionless on the floor.”
Victim left battered and traumatised
The driver suffered nasty bruising and swelling around both eyes and a damaged nose, needing hospital treatment. In a victim impact statement, he revealed sleepless nights, flashbacks, and financial hardship.
“The offender’s behaviour was despicable,” the driver said. “I was in fear of my life.”
Dark past of violence revealed
Devine also pleaded guilty to a previous assault in May 2022, when he smashed a glass bottle into a man’s face at a Canal Street bar in Manchester. The court heard he has a long history of violence, with 15 convictions for 26 offences, including multiple assaults.
Judge slams “serious threat” as Devine jailed
Defence lawyer Joe Allman told the court Devine showed “significant contrition” in a letter and had completed anger management courses while on remand. Allman mentioned Devine suffered a traumatic childhood and the death of his mother five years ago.
But Judge Alan Conrad KC was unyielding:
“You have a very bad record for violence, resulting in several custodial sentences. Both assaults were caught on CCTV and reveal the serious threat you posed.”
Devine must serve at least half of his sentence before being eligible for release on licence.
