A young man who took a taxi from Palmerston North to Masterton and skipped out on the $250 bill will still have to pay for his ride after the law caught up with him.
Al Jay Tennant appeared in Whanganui District Court last week facing a charge of obtaining by deception, as well as charges of theft, three counts of driving while disqualified, one of providing false details to police, a breach of community work and breach of supervision.
Tennant pleaded guilty to the charges.
The 20-year-old took the taxi ride in March after he and the driver agreed on a cost of $250, which Tennant said his mother would pay when he arrived, Judge David Cameron said.
But as they reached Masterton, Tennant asked the driver to stop at a corner, then jumped out and ran away without paying.