Taxi driver suffered ‘unprovoked attack’ in Garden City court hears
A 53-YEAR-old taxi driver was punched and kicked by a drunken customer in a completely unprovoked attack it was alleged yesterday.
Flintshire magistrates’ heard Baber Butt had injuries to his forehead, cheek and jaw, a loose tooth, he was bleeding from the mouth, with cuts and grazes to his knees and arms.
The prosecution alleged Lesley Alan Goff, 33, who gave a Leeds address, carried out the unprovoked attack.
He had got a taxi ride from Chester to a hotel in Welsh Road, Garden City, on May 11.
But Defending, Brian Cross, alleged his client had been manhandled out of the taxi, a scuffle occurred and he had punched in self-defence. But he denied any kicking.
Taxi driver Mr Butt told how they chatted, the defendant said he wanted food, but he was told it was late and that all take-aways were closed.
Goff then claimed the taxi driver was going the wrong way and Mr Butt told him if he was going the wrong way, he would return him to Chester and he would not be charged.
When they arrived the fare was £12.70 but the defendant claimed he had already paid.
There was an argument, Mr Butt opened the door for the defendant to get out.
His passenger got out but closed the door and suddenly started punching him to the face with a clenched fist.
The victim fell and it was there that he was kicked around the body said prosecutor Christine O’Kane.
Goff ran off into the hotel, the victim dialled 999, hotel staff helped him and police later arrested the defendant in one of the hotel rooms.
Interviewed, he claimed he had acted in self defence and he had already paid when the taxi driver asked for more.
District Judge Andrew Shaw said evidence would need to be called to establish the facts before sentence and bailed the defendant to attend a future hearing.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-w ... -31089467/
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