Teen's warning after phone stolen by taxi driver

A TEENAGER is warning revellers to be on guard after his phone was stolen by a taxi driver.

Jack Cormican, who turned 18 last week, was out with friends at the Arena nightclub in Middlesbrough celebrating the Easter holiday.

At about 2.45am on Friday, he left the venue and found a taxi outside to take him to his home in Branksome Avenue, Middlesbrough.

Jack said: “I got a taxi home after my night out, but when I got to my house I didn’t have enough money to pay for it.

“I knew there was some money inside, so I said to the driver I was just going to get the money and I’d be back in five minutes.

“But he wouldn’t let me out of the car until I handed my phone over.

“I thought he’d return it as soon as I gave the fare, but he got the phone and sped off.”

Jack cannot remember which firm of taxis he used to get home, and because he made no advance booking, tracing the thief will be next to impossible.

The phone, a stylish LG Secret KF750, was the Middlesbrough College Music Technology student’s 18th birthday present.

“The fare was only £7. I’d given him £2.50 and said I’d be coming back with the fiver in a minute, but he must have known the phone was worth more.”

Now, Jack wants to warn others who use taxis not to give valuable items as surety.

Mum Amanda, 40, a benefits advisor for the Macmillan cancer charity, says she could hardly believe what happened when Jack told her.

She said: “I always leave some money out for Jack or his sister Molly if they go out that will get them a taxi home.

“I just want to make sure they can get back here safely and can pay the driver.”

Amanda is worried such demands may regularly be placed on youngsters, and is calling for them to be extra vigilant.

Jack said: “I’ve had to call my phone supplier to cancel it, and I’m without a phone now.

“It’s an expensive inconvenience and I don’t want anybody else to suffer.”

 

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