A taxi driver who refused to pick up a drunk couple with a dog in a Moray town was assaulted and permanently disfigured, a court heard.
Elgin Sheriff Court was told Charles Milton fractured his victim’s jaw in two places and left him with a lop-sided mouth.
The 23-year-old, whose address was given in court as 19 Croft Place, Craigellachie, yesterday admitted assaulting Kenneth Brown by repeatedly punching him to the head and body to his severe injury and permanent impairment.
The attack happened at The Square, Aberlour, on September 10 last year.
Milton also admitted assaulting an onlooker, Kevin Christie, after he attempted to stop him from throwing “wild punches” at Mr Brown’s head and face.
The court heard that Milton had waved down Mr Brown’s taxi at a bus stop around 10.10pm, but them became aggressive when Mr Brown refused to allow him, his girlfriend or their “Staffie” dog into his cab.
Fiscal Alison Wyllie said: “The taxi driver stopped because it looked like those people needed a lift, but because of the drink and the dog he refused to allow them to enter his taxi, and it got completely out of hand from there.”
She added that Mr Christie saw the commotion and was assaulted when he tried to intervene.
Mr Brown was treated at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for a double fracture to his jaw on September 11. His mouth was described as “lop-sided” in November when police took a further statement from him.
Defence solicitor Steven Carty said: “Mr Milton is aware there are issues with his personal life that need to be addressed – alcohol being one as well as anger management.”
Sheriff Susan Raeburn sentenced Milton to a community payback order and 200 hours of unpaid work to be completed in six months as an alternative to jail.
She told him: “You have been remanded in custody since mid-September, and it would appear that has had a significant effect on you.”
