Taxi driver attack left passenger with brain damage after he refused to chip in for fare, court hearsA CABBIE punched and kicked a passenger leaving him with brain damage after he refused to chip in for the taxi fare, a court heard.
Chester Crown Court was told today that Gary Whelan, of Laburnum Grove, Runcorn, punched Mark Clare on April 8 this year after dropping him off in Widnes, causing him to fall and fracture his skull, leaving him with brain damage.
Whelan, 43, denies charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and inflicting grievous bodily harm, and claims he acted in self defence.
The prosecution said the 39-year-old alleged victim had been out drinking on the night and was sharing the cab home with four other people who he did not know, two men and two women.
But when one of the women was dropped off at her home in Hough Green, a drunken Mr Clare refused to contribute £1 taxi fare, got out, and started walking home in the wrong direction.
Myles Wilson, prosecuting, said: "He (Whelan) said ‘if he comes back I’m going to deck him’.
"Realising he was going the wrong way, he (Clare) turned around and walked back.
"The defendant got out of seat, approached and grabbed him.
"He punched Mark Clare and he fell back causing a fracture to the back of his skull."
Mr Wilson said one of the other passengers witnessed Whelan kick Mr Clare while he was unconscious, while two others saw him drag him away from his taxi before driving off.
He said Mr Clare’s injuries were so severe at the time it was thought he might not survive, and that he had been left with ‘severe brain injuries’ for which he was still undergoing treatment and that he could still not remember the incident.
Following his arrest, Whelan told police that Mr Clare had assaulted him while he sat in his taxi, and that the punch had been in self defence.
He also claims he thought Clare was ‘play acting’ when he was unconscious.
Whelan denies the charges.
(Proceeding)
source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/
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