Teen admits headbutt on taxi driverA TEENAGE thug is behind bars today after headbutting a taxi driver and bursting the man’s nose.
Violent Christopher Campbell carried out the assault towards the end of a journey from Gourock to Greenock in the early hours of 20 December.
The drunken 17-year-old — who was on a strict bail curfew regarding a weapon charge — struck out as the cabbie tried to stop him from leaving his car.
Campbell’s defence lawyer told the sheriff court: “He had been out on the Friday night, had drank to excess and let the time go beyond his curfew period.
“The taxi driver perceived that he was trying to make a run for it without paying his fare.
“Mr Campbell has had past difficulties and knows he is potentially facing custody over the festive period at the age of 17.”
The court heard how Campbell recently had his curfew period changed to 10pm-7am from 7pm-7am.
Sheriff Derek Hamilton remarked: “I remember this person. He asked for his curfew to be varied and I said at the time that he’d go daft — and he has.”
Prosecutor Lindy Scaife said that the headbutt assault happened at around 12.30am.
The fiscal depute told the court: “There was a disagreement between him and the driver, who heard the accused unclipping his seatbelt.
“At that point the complainer suffered a headbutt to his face and his nose started to bleed.
“Police were nearby and were flagged down by a member of the public. The accused was taken to Greenock police office where he admitted assaulting the driver.”
Campbell told the police: “When I went to stand up he grabbed me.
“I went to stand up and he put his arm across me, so that’s why I did it.”
Campbell admitted the assault in West Blackhall Street and breaching his bail curfew. His not guilty plea to taking a taxi without paying the £10.90 fare was accepted by the Crown.
His solicitor asked for him to be bailed pending the preparation of pre-sentencing background reports.
The lawyer said: “He is four months into a 12-month construction course at college. He does have something to offer but when drinking he does get into trouble.”
Sheriff Hamilton told Campbell: “You were on bail for a weapon matter and you asked for your bail to be modified.
“You have responded to that by breaching your curfew and committing an assault.
“There is no alternative but to remand you in custody pending the reports.”
Campbell, of the Inverclyde Centre, is due to sentenced on 14 January.
source:
http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/news ... xi-driver/
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