Cab driver, Gary Aspden, was knocked to the ground in a fight that broke out after he realised that a drunk teenager had climbed into the boot of his cab recently. 19-year-old Ross Murray admitted assault when he appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court earlier this month. He was accused of repeatedly punching Mr Aspden in the head and body on September 17, 2016. Murray was remanded in custody to await sentencing.
Attack on Cab Driver
The court heard how a group of people had been drinking in a park in Hamilton, near Glasgow, where the attack took place. Fiscal Deputy Michael Macintosh told Sheriff Shiona Waldron that the group had been joined at some point by Mr Murray and his friend Mr Kelly, who were also intoxicated. A while later some members of the group decided to leave the park and called for a taxi. When Mr Aspden arrived for the job, Murray attempted to get into the cab even although it was already occupied by that point.
On driving off Mr Apsden realised that his boot was open and, upon checking, he found Kelly lying inside. Naturally Mr Aspden asked Kelly to get out of the boot and it’s at that point that things turned nasty.
Injuries
Kelly removed his t-shirt and approached Mr Aspden. A fight broke out and Kelly attacked the taxi driver while Murray punched at Mr Aspden’s head and body. As a result, Mr Apsden fell against his taxi and to the ground. He sustained cuts to his forehead and the inside of his lip. His shoulder was strained, his eye was bruised and he required two stitches.
Residents who witnessed the attack from a nearby house described Kelly as the main aggressor during the fight, although Murray was observed throwing several punches during the attack. After fleeing the scene, Murray bizarrely returned to ask if Mr Apsden was okay. When police arrived there was blood on the ground and Kelly’s t-shirt was still hanging on a nearby fence post. Mr Aspden was taken to the Accident and Emergency department at Monklands Hospital for treatment.
Sheriff Shiona Waldron deferred sentence on Murray for a criminal justice social work report.