Taxi Driver Online

Man threatened taxi driver with glass bottle before stealing vehicle

A man threatened a taxi driver with a bottle and then drove off in his vehicle.

Graham Stewart, 40, pounced on the man in Glasgow’s Cathcart on Boxing Day 2023.

Stewart brandished a glass bottle at the taxi driver and demanded cash after he stopped the vehicle at his destination.

Fearful, the driver exited his car and fled from the scene before he called the police.

Officers later traced disqualified driver Stewart behind the wheel on the M8 where he was arrested.

Stewart pled guilty on Wednesday at Glasgow Sheriff Court to assault and robbery.

He also admitted failing to do a breath test and driving while disqualified.

The court heard that the taxi driver picked up Stewart in the city centre’s Argyle Street and took him to the Cathkin area.

There was no conversation during the journey.

Prosecutor Katie Malcolm said: “At the end of the journey, [the driver] expected him to pay the fare and leave.

“He was grabbed by the shoulders by Stewart who said ‘give me the money’.

“[The victim] noticed he had a glass bottle in his possession which he brandished while he demanded the money.”

The terrified driver undid his seatbelt and went out the vehicle, leaving his wedding ring and PDA device inside.

He then ran off and headed towards a nearby Greggs to call for help.

Ms Malcolm added: “[The victim] saw his vehicle driving off and turned right heading in the general direction of the city centre.”

Police were notified and traced the Skoda Superb car to the M8 eastbound.

Stewart was in the drivers seat and he refused to do a roadside breath test.

He was also found to be a disqualified driver from a case at Hamilton Sheriff Court in November 2022.

Stewart was sentenced to 14 months in 2020 after he drove his works van on a busy motorway while on drugs.

A knife was also found in his boxer shorts.

Brian Fitzpatrick, defending, told the court that his client is currently serving a 13-month sentence imposed in March this year.

Sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month by Sheriff Owen Mullan.

Stewart had his remand in custody continued meantime.

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