A WOMAN accused of leaving a taxi without paying the full fare has had her case dropped - nearly four years after the offence was committed.

Blackburn magistrates heard that in May 2015 Ashleigh Holmes had admitted making off without paying the fare and had been dealt with by way of a caution on condition she paid £40 compensation and attended three sessions at a women's centre.

She attended the sessions but the money was never paid and Holmes was eventually arrested on a warrant in December 2018.

Daniel King, defending, said the money had now been deposited with his firm and was available to be paid to the taxi driver who missed out on his fare.

And after the prosecution received confirmation that the money had been handed over the magistrates withdrew the charge.

Mr King said Holmes, 22, of Hillside Walk, Blackburn, and two friends had gone for a night out in Manchester on May 30 2015.

"The taxi fare to Manchester was £28 but the driver who brought them back wanted £60," said Mr King.

"They handed over £28, which was all they had, and went hone. The next thing my client knew was the police had forced her front door, arrested her and took her to the police station where she was held for 10 hours before being given a conditional caution."

Mr King said if he had been representing Holmes at the time he would have given careful consideration to whether an offence had actually been committed.

"Whatever the rights and wrongs she lost track of the fine which has eventually come back to haunt her," said Mr King.