Maghull prison guard shown mercy over vicious attack on cabbie
A PRISON officer headbutted and repeatedly punched a taxi driver over £1 he owed towards his fare.
But a judge showed Graeme Dougherty, 36, mercy after saying the attack on cabbie Alan Hope was a “moment of madness” and accepting he was genuinely remorseful.
Suspending a 12-month sentence for two years, Judge Adrian Lyon said: “You headbutted him and hit him four times and caused him serious injury.
“I am sure he [Mr Hope] had no idea that sat behind him, respectable people that you were, you would behave in that fashion.”
The judge ordered Dougherty to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and pay his victim £500 in compensation.
Liverpool crown court heard Mr Hope, a taxi driver of 29 years, had picked up Dougherty and his brother, chartered accountant Scott Dougherty, 34, outside James Street railway station at about 10pm, on November 26 last year.
But once inside the Hackney cab, Dougherty lit a cigarette. When he was asked to put it out, Dougherty, a prison officer at HMP Kennet, in Maghull was abusive, forcing Mr Hope to pull over on St John’s Lane.
When he asked the brothers for the £3 fare, they handed over £2, but refused to hand over the final £1.
Gerald Baxter, prosecuting, said Mr Hope shouted to the men: “It’s only £1.”
Mr Baxter said: “That seems to have infuriated Graeme Dougherty because he then turned around, came back and attacked Mr Hope, headbutting him and punching him.”
A passing taxi driver went to Mr Hope’s aid, but could not stop Dougherty’s attack.
Later on in the attack, Dougherty’s brother Scott joined in, kicking Mr Hope while he lay defenceless next to his taxi.
Despite initially denying the offence, the brothers later admitted assault causing actual bodily harm.
In a victim impact statement, Mr Hope told how not only was his body left “battered, bruised and bloodied” but the attack had stopped him enjoying his job.
He had to undergo corrective surgery on his nose, which is still deformed.
Kenneth Heckle, defending, told how expectant dad Dougherty, of Ormskirk, had an “exemplary record” as a prison officer over the past 12 years.
He said he regularly dealt with provocation in his job and did not react.
HMP Kennet’s governor James Winrow told the court Dougherty dealt with the stress of his job “exceptionally well”, adding: “His attendance and conduct is beyond reproach.”
William Parkhill, defending Scott Dougherty, of Aughagranna Road, Dungannon, Country Tyrone, said the respected and successful accountant had gone to his brother’s aid.
Judge Lyon sentenced him to a community order with 80 hours of unpaid work.
Source:
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/l
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especially when you see the sentences that are getting dished out after riots
