R v Aziz [1993] Crim LR 708 Court of Appeal

The defendant and a friend had been drinking. At 11.30 they got a taxi to take them into town to a night club. On arrival the driver asked for the fare of £15. The defendant, in his drunken state, objected to this and offered the driver £4. An argument arose so the taxi driver drove to the nearest police station to sort things out. The defendant became increasingly aggressive and the taxi driver pulled over at a garage to get help and the defendant ran off. He was convicted of making off without payment and appealed contending that he had not made off from the spot where payment was due (ie at the nightclub).

Held:

His conviction was upheld. The location of making off was not relevant. All that is required for the offence is that payment was due on the spot.

Back to lecture outline on making off without payment