Taxi Driver Online

At least he only kicked the car door rather than the driver's head


Passers-by restrained angry drunk man who punched taxi driver

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/n ... xi-driver/

A DRUNKEN passenger punched a taxi driver to the back of the head as he bent down to inspect his car which had been kicked by the irate fare.

Blackburn magistrates heard the blow from Martin Smith knocked the driver to the floor and he was "seeing stars."

Smith, 30, of Ridgeway Avenue, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting Adal Shah. He was fined £438, ordered to pay £100 compensation, £85 costs and £44 victim surcharge.

Briony Cook, prosecuting, said Smith got into the taxi at 12.20am and gave the driver instruction he didn't understand.

"He asked for details and when the defendant started to behave strangely asked for payment in advance," said Miss Cook.

"He became abusive and refused and they both got out of the car."

Miss Cook said Smith started shouting and swearing and making threats to smash the car and Mr Shah.

"The driver got back in his car to try and get away from the situation and at that point another passenger got into the back of the car," said Miss Cook.

"The defendant kicked the car door and when Mr Shah got out to check if any damage was caused he was punched to the back of the head."

Miss Cook said members of the public stepped in and restrained Smith until the police arrived.

Michael Alexander, defending, said on the day of the incident his client had received the bad news that his father, for whom he was the carer, had not got much longer left to live.

"He had been out drinking and when he went to get a taxi home an argument started over the driver asking for the fare in advance," said Mr Alexander.

"He says the driver pushed him and in retaliation he punched him once. He says he is very sorry and assures the court this will not happen again."