Aberdeen mum cleared of biting off taxi driver’s ear lobe
Woman cleared after self -defence plea
Published: 20/07/2010
AN ABERDEEN mum-of-two has been cleared of biting off part of a taxi driver’s ear after being kept “prisoner” in the cab.
Holly Burnett, 24, of Milltimber, wept as she described how police arrested her despite believing she had been the victim of a “terrifying” kidnap attempt.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard how Mrs Burnett had gone into Terry Thornton’s taxi after a night out and found him to become increasingly “aggressive” on the journey home.
She claimed the driver sped off with her door wide open as she looked for money in her handbag.
Mr Thornton, who told the court he feared he was not going to be paid, said he still had Mrs Burnett’s teeth marks on his hand and that his earlobe had been “severed”.
Mrs Burnett admitted biting Mr Thornton but claimed it was in self-defence as he had refused to let her leave the taxi and locked the door.
Defence agent George Mathers said Mrs Burnett had been right to lash out because she was “terrified”. He said: “She couldn’t get away. She was a prisoner.”
Finding Mrs Burnett not guilty, Sheriff Richard McFarlane said he had found her evidence “more credible” than that of her alleged victim.
Mrs Burnett had denied attacking and injuring Mr Thornton by biting his hand and ear outside her home.
