Drunk Man Swore At Taxi Driver
27th August 2008
A railway worker threatened to hit a taxi driver after the latter refused to drive him home, a court was told.
William Lee, 21, of Alexandra Road, St Leonards, came towards him pounding his chest whil he was drunk.
Prosecutor Hazel Merritt said he initially got into a taxi in Havelock Road just before 6pm on June 30 and asked the driver to take him home but then got out.
She said: "The defendant slammed the door shut and shouted at the driver, swearing at him.
"He grabbed the taxi driver by the arm and was being extremely abusive.
"The defendant was later seen taking off his shirt and walked back towards the driver hitting his chest and punching his face shouting at the driver to fight him.
"A member of the public called the police. As police were on the way the defendant turned around to the taxi driver's window, which was partially open, and tried to punch him but the driver managed to avoid it.
"The defendant, who was highly intoxicated, resisted arrest by struggling violently."
Hastings magistrates heard Lee had been released from prison on licence five weeks before the incident.
He appeared in court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to one charge of provocation of violence through his behaviour and resisting police.
Ronan Crummy, defending, said: "The defendant had been out with family and friends and drank probably far too much.
"He was anxious to comply with a curfew order and got inside a taxi but was told by the driver he wouldn't take him because he thought he would be sick.
"The defendant swore at the driver in frustration.
"There was pushing and shoving from both sides.
"The defendant has not drunk alcohol since this incident."
Magistrates gave Lee a four-month curfew order in which he must remain indoors between 7.15pm and 6.15am the next day.
He was also ordered to pay £60 in costs and fined £187.
Source; Bexhill-on Sea Observer & Sussex Express
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