Man punched and spat at Lincoln taxi driver following drunken rantA Lincoln man has been found guilty of assault following a drunken rant at a taxi driver.
John Drysdale punched and spat at Izatullah Ehsani after drinking between eight and 10 pints of lager on a night out playing pool.
The assault happened following a disagreement over the fare.
Lincoln Magistrates’ Court was told how the taxi was stopped on university bridge where Mr Ehsani told Drysdale to leave the car if he was going to continue to be abusive.
A fellow taxi driver spotted the altercation and followed Mr Ehsani to the corner of Skellingthorpe Road and Highfield Avenue where the assault took place.
Drysdale, 42, of Highfield Avenue, Lincoln, admitted spitting at the driver but denied throwing a punch.
Prosecuting, Edward Johnson said: “As soon as you got in the taxi you were abusive and aggressive towards Mr Ehsani.
“You punched him as you got out the taxi and spat in his face through the open window on the driver’s side once you had got out.”
Drysdale, who had pleaded not guilty to both assault by beating and racially aggravated assault, was convicted following a trial on March 8.
He was acquitted of the racially aggravated charge.
When delivering the verdict, Chair of the bench John East said: “From the evidence of Mr Ehsani and listening to the recording of the 999 call, we can not find a racial element to this assault.
“However, we believe there was a punch thrown.”
Drysdale was fined £175 and ordered to pay compensation of £100, a contribution to costs of £150 and a victims surcharge of £15.
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