A terrified taxi driver was forced to set off his panic alarm to call for help when his drunk passenger launched into a violent attack on him.
Joel Booth repeatedly swung at the driver from inside his taxi and even continued the assault when his victim fled the vehicle.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court was told that 22-year-old Booth was picked up by the taxi that he had ordered for Riverside Drive in Aberdeen, at 7am on February 27 this year.
When the taxi driver arrived, he saw Booth arguing with another man before jumping into the car.
Fiscal depute Tom Procter said an argument then ensued between the driver and Booth before the accused “grabbed hold of his shoulder and swung his fist towards the man’s face, failing to make contact”.
“The driver pressed his panic alarm to request assistance from his employer and the police, and then exited the taxi to await the police.
“The accused remained with the taxi but began rifling through the dashboard box, taking out a mobile phone and card machine, which he proceeded to throw out of the window, causing it to smash.”
Booth then jumped out of the taxi and continued his aggression, kicking the cab’s wing mirror and causing it to smash.
“He then squared up to the taxi driver, challenging him to a fight,” the fiscal added.
‘Both parties ended up on the ground’
“He then punched him once in the face, grabbing his glasses from his face and breaking them on the floor.
“Both parties ended up on the ground and the accused continued to throw punches at the complainer.
“A colleague of the taxi driver arrived and saw the accused continuing to act aggressively and trying to throw punches at the complainer but failing.
“The colleague pulled him off the complainer and police arrived shortly after.”
Booth continued his vile behaviour once police arrived, spitting at one officer before he was cautioned and charged.
He admitted one charge of assault, another of culpable and reckless conduct and another of police assault.
‘He just cannot drink alcohol’
Defence agent Charlie Benzies said the unemployed youngster had “little recollection” of the 7am assault and was “thoroughly disgusted” with his behaviour.
“He seems to be taking responsibility for his actions and, to his credit, has identified that he is one of those people who just cannot drink alcohol with success.
“He has abstained from alcohol since June.”
Sheriff Andrew Miller said it was “disgraceful behaviour”.
“I can clearly only take a serious view of this disgraceful behaviour,” he told Booth.
“During this incident, this taxi driver simply attended to pick you up as a passenger, but you then damaged his vehicle and therefore his means of earning a living.
“It was a disgraceful episode.”
He handed Booth, of Headland Court in Aberdeen, a nine-month supervision order and two-month curfew.
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