Somerset man carried out unprovoked assault on taxi driver after fare disputeA Somerton man who carried out an unprovoked attack on a taxi driver in a dispute over his fare has been sentenced to a curfew order by the courts.
Trevor John Starkie claimed he had already paid the driver £10 to take him to the railway station at Bristol.
However when the driver drove to the British Transport Police office nearby Starkie punched him in the mouth.
When the victim managed to get out of his car the defendant then grabbed him round the neck, forced him to the ground and kicked him in the head.
Starkie, 36, of Langport Road, pleaded not guilty to assaulting Ali Alasady by beating him on June 10 but was convicted in his absence following a trial before Somerset Magistrates.
Prosecutor Emma Lenanton told the court at Yeovil that Starkie was with a friend in Victoria Street, Bristol, when he ordered a taxi and told the driver that he wanted to go to Derby.
"The driver told him the fare would be £200 which would have to be paid in advance but Starkie said he didn't have the money with him and would pay on arrival which was refused," she said.
"After some minutes arguing Starkie's friend asked if they could be taken to Temple Meads Station in Bristol, which was agreed and on arrival the driver asked for the £5.90 fare."
However Starkie said he had already paid £10, which the driver denied, and he then drove round to the British Transport Police officer at the station.
Miss Lenanton said: "As he parked the vehicle Starkie then punched him in the mouth and when they both got out of the taxi the driver was phoning the police.
"Starkie then grabbed him round the neck from behind forcing him to the ground which grazed his elbow following which he kicked his head."
In a statement read to the court from the victim he said he was not able to work for the rest of the night following the incident and said that all he wanted to do was his job.
"However I am now in fear of working in the evening due to the behaviour of these passengers," he said.
As a result of the attack the driver sustained reddening to the inside of his lip and a scraped right elbow where he fell to the floor.
Defending solicitor Jeffrey Bannister said that Starkie was not able to afford to travel to the court on the day of the trial and was convicted in his absence.
"He still maintains that he is not guilty of this offence and he has been suffering with difficulties because of his mental health," he said.
The magistrates sentenced him to a three month curfew order where he must remain at his home address between 7pm and 7am daily while fitted with an electronic tag. He was also ordered to pay £200 compensation to Mr Alasady.
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