Taylor Farrimond, 31, has denied charges related to crashing a stolen Mercedes into a pedicab during a police chase through London's West End. The incident, which occurred on April 11, also involved alleged intoxication, theft of a vehicle, and assault of a police officer.
According to prosecutor Sarah Madden, speaking at Southwark Crown Court, Farrimond was "incredibly intoxicated" after a night at an All Bar One cocktail bar. He allegedly stole an unlocked silver Mercedes EQS 450+ with the keys left in the ignition. Farrimond then led police on a chase through Covent Garden that lasted less than 10 minutes.
The chase concluded when Farrimond allegedly smashed into a pedicab on Bow Street, causing minor injuries to several individuals, including a woman named Angela Traykovska. Farrimond also reportedly damaged a Land Rover Defender on Russell Street prior to stealing the Mercedes. The criminal damage charges encompass the pedicab, Traykovska's VW Polo, the Mercedes, and the Land Rover Defender.
After being taken to a hospital, Farrimond is accused of kicking a uniformed officer in the head, which forms the basis of the actual bodily harm charge. Madden stated that the defendant "made the deliberate decision to endanger other users. He is driving intoxicated with alcohol and drugs."
Farrimond, who is from South Africa and was formerly the head of operations for the coworking company Koba, pleaded not guilty to causing actual bodily harm, assaulting a police officer, four counts of criminal damage, and dangerous driving.
Judge Sally-Ann Hales, KC, granted Farrimond bail. His trial is scheduled for November 22, 2027, the earliest date the court could accommodate. At an earlier hearing, his companion described Farrimond as "normal" before being told to check on him outside the bar, where he was seen damaging vehicles and subsequently stealing the Mercedes.