Taxi Driver Online

Hamilton thug attacked cabbie and smashed window with bin after being asked to pay

https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glas ... d-34031603

The driver warned him that if he didn't calm down he would call the police, but when he asked for payment the yob reacted violently.

A rowdy passenger attacked a Hamilton taxi driver after being asked for payment.

Michael McCabe also smashed a house window with a bin after leaving the cab. McCabe, 43, was jailed for 18 months at Hamilton Sheriff Court after he admitted assault and threatening behaviour on July 6 last year, reports Lanarkshire Live.

Aga Mathieson, prosecuting, said the taxi driver, aged 27, picked up McCabe and a female in Hillside Crescent around 1am. He was then asked to drive to "multiple" addresses.

McCabe got out of the taxi in Craigburn Street, picked up a bin and smashed a house window with it. The driver warned him that if he didn't calm down he would call the police, but when he asked for payment McCabe reacted violently.

The fiscal said: "He pulled off the plastic barrier separating him from the front of the taxi, reached through and put both hands around the driver's neck. The driver tried to wriggle free but McCabe put his arm over his neck and held him in place before letting go and making off."

Defence lawyer Stephen MacBride said his client is a recovering alcoholic who had been abstaining from booze but then had a "relapse".

The solicitor added: "This was fuelled by alcohol. He apologises for his unacceptable behaviour towards a man who was only doing his job. As for the window he smashed, there had been a difficulty with the occupier of that house."

Sheriff John Hamilton KC read a victim impact statement before sentencing.

He noted McCabe has a long record for crimes of violence and disorder, adding: "There is no plausible explanation for your conduct that night other than your violent nature."

Well there's mention of an alcohol problem. But, as per usual, that sounds like it's related to some other form of crime and addiction

Wonder what kind of plastic barrier it was? Certainly doesn't sound very secure, and thus presumably not a purpose-built taxi

Are those retrofit screens for saloon cars still available? A good while since I've seen any mention of them.

Of course, there was a screen thing going on during Covid. But those weren't built with security in mind