Teenager Punched Taxi Driver
Victim allegedly made comment about attacker’s family
27th June 2009
A teenager who assaulted a taxi driver did so after the victim allegedly made reference to an arson attack on his aunt’s home, Inverness Sheriff Court heard yesterday.
Blaine Lobban, 17, admitted punching Murdo Fraser while he was sitting in his taxi in St Mary Avenue, Inverness, on December 29 last year.
His brother Graham Lobban, 25, pleaded guilty to breaking the peace by shouting and swearing during the incident.
The court was told that Mr Fraser, 45, was in the driver’s seat with the window down when he was approached by the two men.
Fiscal depute Ian Smith said a comment was made by one of the men before Blaine Lobban punched Mr Fraser in the face
Defence solicitor Eilidh Macdonald, for Blaine Lobban, said the taxi driver had been involved in an exchange of words with relatives of the Lobbans’.
She said: “These relatives included an aunt who was subject to an arson attack prior to this incident.
“Words were spoken by the taxi driver referring to that and referring to it while laughing.
“He drove past them while they were standing at the bus stop.
“He shouted out the window to them and made reference to Lobban’s mother and the incident involving his aunt and the fire at her house.
“They went to speak to the taxi driver when he stopped. There was a further exchange.
“The taxi driver tried to get out and Blaine Lobban closed the door.
“At that point Lobban assaulted him by striking him on the head.”
Defence solicitor Neil Wilson, for Graham Lobban, said his client took no part in the confrontation but was “foolish enough to make a verbal contribution to it”.
Sheriff Alexander Pollock deferred sentence until July 23 for the preparation for background reports. Both accused were released on bail.
Source; The Press & Journal
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