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A taxi driver has had his licence suspended for a day after being convicted of using threatening behaviour towards another motorist.
Colin Barnard, who works for the Burrington Way-based taxi firm Crownhill Taxi Services, was found guilty at Plymouth Magistrates Court of the public order offence against a woman on May 10.
Yesterday Barnard appeared before the city council's licensing committee (Hackney carriage) to explain the conviction.
Although the authority had the power to revoke the 29-year-old's private hire driver licence, councillors decided to suspend the licence for one day after hearing mitigation.
Barnard told the committee that, on the day the offence, he was driving to the taxi firm's office in Crownhill.
He was driving along the A38 towards Leigham roundabout on the inside lane before he checked his mirrors and pulled out on to the outside lane.
"I pulled out and a car came up behind me at speed," he said.
"The woman driving the car flashed her lights and screamed at me and continued to follow me all the way down to the slip road leading on to Manadon roundabout.
"She continued to flash her lights and beep her horn at me so I got out of my car and walked towards her.
"I wanted to ask why she was driving like a lunatic. As I got out she drove past me and crashed into another car in front."
During the hearing councillors asked why he felt she would do this.
"She must have felt threatened," he added. "She probably drove off to avoid confrontation."
Barnard said that in his eyes he did nothing to make her feel intimidated.
The hearing was told that he was convicted, fined £300 and ordered to pay compensation of £100 and costs of £100.
Councillor David Haydon, vice-chairman of the committee, told Barnard at the end of his hearing: "Members have considered reports and we are concerned that you have been convicted of using threatening behaviour.
"However, we have considered the facts and we have listened to what you have had to say."
He added: "We do look at the city's taxi drivers as being ambassadors for the city of Plymouth."
so i guess he took a day off that day
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