Key Points
- Daniella Shellard, 39 years old woman residing in Eglington Road, Grangetown, assaulted a taxi driver parked in the area of Newport Bridge on 16th June.
- She asked the driver of Royal Cars vehicle for a ride when the driver was waiting for a customer and he had not made a booking.
- When the driver locked the car doors and declined the ride, Daniella Shellard took away his phone iPhone 14 Pro Max and asked him to pay £50 in return for the recovery of his phone.
- Shellard took away the wallet of the cabbie through the window.
- The employees of a nursing home close to the scene contacted the police who chased her briefly and managed to recover the stolen items.
- Teesside Crown Court gave Shellard a 18 month community order, 30 rehabilitation days and drug rehabilitation requirement after her conviction for theft.
Newport Bridge (Cardiff Daily) September 14, 2026 – Grangetown thief put hand through taxi window and grabbed iPhone 14 Pro Max. As reported by Esther Halligan of Teesside Live, a callous thief “scouted” a taxi before putting her hand through the open window and grabbing an expensive phone near Newport Bridge. Daniella Shellard, 39, approached the taxi driver on June 16, as he was parked up near to the landmark location.
What Happened During the Incident Near Newport Bridge?
As reported by Emma Atkinson, prosecuting at Teesside Crown Court, the Royal Cars cabbie had dropped a customer off and was waiting for her to return when Shellard asked him to take her somewhere. The driver told her that she would have to book her journey, according to Ms Atkinson.
The taxi driver locked his doors as Shellard began looking through his car windows. She stole his iPhone 14 Pro Max, and when the cabbie asked for it back she “demanded £50 for it,” Ms Atkinson stated to the court. Shellard then reached in and took the man’s wallet.
How Was the Suspect Apprehended by Authorities?
Staff at a nearby nursing home called the police, the court heard, and an officer reported that the victim was “visibly distressed.” Shellard was caught after a short foot chase, and the stolen items were returned to the victim.
The defendant claimed “other people were responsible and she had simply watched” the theft take place, Ms Atkinson told the hearing. Shellard claimed the money that police found on her was her own.
Shellard, of Eglington Road in Grangetown, later admitted theft. She has previous convictions for theft and possession of drugs. Her barrister Gary Wood asked the court to give his client credit for her guilty plea.
What Sentence Did the Court Pass on Daniella Shellard?
Judge Nicholas Lumley told Shellard that offences “against taxi drivers are quite disgraceful.” As noted by the judge,
“They provide an essential public service. It must have been terrifying for him.”
Judge Lumley added:
“The public are best protected from you and your problems are best addressed by intensive help from the probation service.”
Shellard was handed an 18-month community order, must attend 30 rehabilitation days, and take part in a drug rehabilitation requirement.
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Background of the Particular Development
This case highlights ongoing concerns regarding the safety and security of public transport workers, particularly private hire and taxi drivers who frequently operate alone during unsociable hours. Incidents involving opportunistic thefts from stationary vehicles have prompted local authorities and transport groups across Teesside to advocate for increased vigilance.
The legal proceedings at Teesside Crown Court underscore the judiciary’s stance on penalising crimes directed at frontline workers providing essential public services, balancing punitive measures with mandatory community-based interventions and drug rehabilitation requirements to address underlying offending behaviours.
How This Development Can Affect Taxi Drivers and Local Businesses
This judicial outcome may influence local taxi drivers and public transport operators by reinforcing the importance of keeping vehicle doors locked and windows secured while parked in urban areas. While the swift response from nursing home staff and police highlights effective community vigilance, the incident may heighten security anxieties among drivers operating around Newport Bridge and surrounding zones. Consequently, local operators might increase their reliance on internal dashcams, enhanced vehicle security protocols, or direct emergency alert systems to deter opportunistic thieves and safeguard against similar confrontational thefts.
