Man, 37, smashed taxi's window with his walking stick - in a row over the fareThe 37-year-old, who suffers from mobility problems, also verbally abused cabbie Waheed Karim during the incident.
Magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard Humphage had made his regular journey from Bentilee to Tunstall – with a stop at Festival Park to collect his wife from work – for which he normally paid around £7.
However, on this occasion he was told the fare would be £10.
Prosecutor Steve Knowles said: "The injured party confirms Mr Humphage got out of the vehicle, made a racial comment to Mr Karim, then used his walking stick to smash the back window of the vehicle.
"When he was interviewed by police he said he thought the taxi driver was going to drive off while his wife was still getting out, so he tapped the window with his stick."
The court heard he had no previous convictions.
Mark Bromley, mitigating, said: "Mr Humphage and his wife used taxis from this firm on a regular basis.
"This journey was one the two of them took on numerous occasions and the fare was normally £7.
"On this occasion the driver said it would be £10. Mr Humphage suggested the driver called his base to verify the fare but he refused to do that.
"Mr Humphage was becoming more and more frustrated so he got out, asking his wife to pay the fare.
"He accepts during the heated exchange he used a racial phrase."
Mr Bromley said Humphage claimed he did not know he had broken the taxi's rear windscreen at the time of the offence, which took place on January 28.
"He did prod the rear window of the vehicle with his lightweight metal walking stick. He and his wife then left, and they did not realise that the stick had caused any damage to the windscreen."
Magistrates fined Humphage £110 and ordered him to pay £200 compensation to Mr Karim. He must also pay £135 court costs and a £30 victim surcharge.
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