Vomit trail leads to taxi driver attacker

By John Hill on December 10, 2008 10:02 AM |

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A prolific offender who attacked a minicab driver was tracked down using the vomit he had left behind.

Cahir Street resident Patrick Shiels fled after fracturing the cabbie's jaw in Alpha Grove at 2.45am on May 2. But he allowed police to pick up his trail by throwing up in the vehicle during his trip.

Officers obtained DNA samples from the vomit which placed Shiels at the scene, and he was charged with grievous bodily harm.

The 26-year-old man from Conway House was sentenced to 33 months in prison at Snaresbrook Crown Court last Wednesday.

The 39-year-old cab driver suffered a fractured jaw in two places and lost a tooth in the attack. Shiels and another man had paid upfront for a trip from Poplar to Epping, during which time Shiels was sick in the vehicle and started smoking.

The pair could not reach the person they were due to meet in Epping by telephone, and so ordered the cabbie to drive them back.

When the driver asked for payment for the 16 mile trip on their return, Shiels became abusive and punched him hard in the face.

Det Sgt Garfield Phillpots said: “Mr Shiels has got a long record of violent offences and thefts. He’s somebody who’s come to our attention a lot, and getting him off the streets for 33 months is particularly pleasing.�?