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Taxi driver attacked over 60p
AN UNEMPLOYED man was sprayed with CS gas by police after assaulting a taxi driver in an argument over 60p, a court heard. Three officers were needed to arrest Paul McHugh, 51, of Coppice Road, Poynton, who became aggressive after being picked up at a wine bar on August 30, last year, Macclesfield magistrates were told.
McHugh denied charges of common assault, resisting arrest and criminal damage, but was found guilty of all three following a trial. He was sentenced to a 12-month supervision order with a three-month overnight curfew, on Friday, April 24.
Sophie Tolhurst, prosecuting, said McHugh gave directions to the taxi driver, but became aggressive and started swearing, before only paying the driver £2 of a £2.60 fee. Miss Tolhurst said the defendant snatched the microphone and ripped it out of the radio after the driver called the control room.
She said: "McHugh then hit the driver on the chest and face, causing scratches and bruises. To arrest him police officers used hammer-fist strikes and leg strikes in order to gain control of him. He still refused to be handcuffed and a CS gas spray resolved the situation."
Mark Shepherd, defending, said McHugh’s reason for resistance was a fear handcuffs would cause swelling. He said: "He (McHugh) was assaulted in 2007 and left comatosed for four weeks. He isn’t able to work or function as he used to."
Chairman of the bench, Dr Gwyneth Edwards, said: "You have been found guilty after trial of assaulting a taxi driver, criminally damaging his radio and resisting a police officer, such that hammer-fist strikes and CS gas had to be used."
McHugh was ordered to pay £443.75 compensation and £455 court costs.
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