A Craigie man has been ordered to pay £3,000 in compensation to an Ayr taxi driver he punched during a dispute over an unpaid fare, leaving the driver with a brain bleed and continuing headaches.
Craig Lucas, 34, admitted assault to severe injury after striking the driver in the head on Annfield Glen Road on June 28 last year. He returned to Ayr Sheriff Court on Monday, September 14, for sentencing.
What happened after the taxi journey
The court heard Lucas and a woman were picked up at the Boswell Park taxi rank and asked to be taken to Prestwick. No address was provided, and both passengers were described as “heavily intoxicated”.
The journey became disruptive while the taxi was travelling. A prosecutor told the court: “The accused was singing and the complainer put the intercom on and asked him to stop.”
The pair stopped when the woman asked to get out. As the driver held the door, Lucas got out, began arguing, brushed past the driver and started walking away.
The procurator fiscal depute said the driver told Lucas he had not paid for the taxi. Lucas replied that he had paid. The court heard he was then “dancing about like a dafty” before punching the driver on the left side of his face.
The blow caused the driver to fall from the kerb and land on the road. Lucas was heard saying, “that is embarrassing” several times before walking away, getting into the taxi and driving off.
Driver later found to have brain bleed
Although the driver initially continued working and had only noticed bleeding from his elbow, he stopped the following morning because of pain caused by the assault.
He later attended Ayr Hospital, where he was found to have a bleed to the brain. He also had bruising to his elbow and constant nausea. The driver then went to Ayr police office to give a statement.
Police seized CCTV footage and arrested Lucas about a week after the incident. The court heard the driver continues to experience headaches.
Sentence at Ayr Sheriff Court
Lucas, of Craigie Road, Ayr, was represented by solicitor John Gallagher. The court heard he had a limited record, with one road traffic matter and no other outstanding matters. His bail had previously been continued.
Mr Gallagher said Lucas had accepted responsibility from the outset and had shown contrition, remorse and shame. He said Lucas understood the physical and emotional harm caused, had been drinking more than usual and had left the taxi believing money had been left.
The solicitor accepted that the fare had not been paid and said Lucas reacted in a way that could not be condoned. He also told the court it was one blow and that no weapon had been involved.
Sheriff Siobhan Connelly said Lucas was entirely to blame and that alcohol was no excuse. She described the behaviour as completely unacceptable.
Lucas was sentenced to 300 hours of unpaid work and two years of supervision as part of a community payback order. He must also pay £3,000 compensation to the taxi driver.
