**Taxi Driver Assaulted by Passenger Suffering Psychiatric Episode in Newport, Court Hears**
A taxi driver in Newport endured a terrifying ordeal after being attacked by a passenger whilst on duty, a court has heard. The assailant, Kane Wannell, who was undergoing a severe mental health episode at the time, escaped jail on the grounds of his significant psychiatric difficulties.
The incident, which unfolded on 13 February 2023, began when Amir Zia, a local taxi driver, agreed to transport Wannell and a woman, Emily, to Chapelwood surgery. The journey took a dramatic and violent turn when Wannell, positioned in the front passenger seat, leaned across and gripped Mr Zia’s throat with his hands, restricting his breathing for approximately ten seconds, the prosecution told Newport Crown Court.
Prosecutor Emma Harris described how the driver struggled desperately to free himself, with Wannell then proceeding to kick at the car window before once more attacking Mr Zia. During the chaotic altercation, as Mr Zia attempted to call emergency services, the defendant’s nails scratched the driver’s face, further compounding the distress of the situation.
Shortly after the shocking event in the taxi, Wannell’s erratic behaviour escalated. He was spotted entirely naked in the garden of a property in Bassaleg, Newport, where he proceeded to break a window with a brick in order to enter the home. The property’s resident, Helen Hood, who later recognised Wannell as a former schoolmate of her daughter, reported hearing him shouting incoherently and stripping off his clothes before forcing his way upstairs.
Ms Hood recounted how Wannell, with bloodied hands from smashing glass, engaged in nonsensical conversation, referencing religious figures and eventually hiding in a bed when police were called to the scene. Officers arrived to detain the defendant, whose actions left the homeowner shaken but unharmed after the encounter.
In court, Wannell admitted to the charges of intentional strangulation, assault by beating, exposure, and criminal damage. The court heard from his defence, Darren Bishop, that the 28-year-old had a long history of acute psychiatric illness, including diagnoses of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Wannell, it was revealed, had been hospitalised numerous times and was under ongoing medical treatment at the time of sentencing.
Recorder Andrew Hammond, passing sentence, acknowledged the gravity of Wannell’s offences, especially the attack on Mr Zia, who was simply performing his job as a taxi driver. However, taking into account Wannell’s severely impaired mental state, bereavement, and willingness to engage with treatment, the judge imposed a 12-month high-level Community Order for each offence, to be served concurrently.
Further conditions of his sentence included a 25-day rehabilitation activity requirement, a £114 victim surcharge and a £100 fine. Notably, the court opted not to impose costs or compensation, highlighting the impact of Wannell’s psychiatric condition on his actions.
Recording the sentence, His Honour Judge Hammond warned Wannell of the seriousness of the offences and the need to comply strictly with his community order. The judge stressed the importance of public safety, emphasising how both the taxi driver and members of the community should feel secure during routine activities.
The case has reopened conversations around the relationship between severe mental illness and criminal responsibility, with many noting the importance of ongoing support for individuals and the essential protections needed for those working in public-facing roles such as taxi driving.
As Wannell left court, he was reminded that any breach of the Community Order would result in his return to court, underscoring both the severity of the events and society’s responsibility to balance criminal justice with compassion for those suffering from debilitating mental health conditions.