Teenager bailed over cabbie assault faces threat, court is told

A TEENAGE passenger who accepts breaking a taxi driver’s jaw in a “brutal and barbaric” assault over a £5 fare is barred from any contact with the victim’s firm, a High Court judge ordered yesterday.

The prohibition was imposed on Dylan McGrinder as he was granted bail over repeatedly kicking the man to the head during an alcohol-fuelled attack near Strabane, Co Tyrone, in the early hours of January 13.

Lord Justice McCloskey decided the 18-year-old can be released from custody despite being informed of intelligence stating “he’s safer inside”.

McGrinder, of Glebe Gardens in Sion Mills, faces charges of grievous bodily harm with intent, criminal damage and makback ing off without paying the £5. Prosecutors revealed the victim sustained a fractured jaw, severe facial swelling, a footprint mark on his throat, and has difficulty hearing in one ear.

Medical staff had also raised concerns that the man may lose the sight in one eye. But in an update yesterday a Crown lawyer confirmed there is no longer an imminent risk to the eye.

McGrinder had been picked up at Abercorn Square in Strabane and taken to Sion Mills after failing to obtain money from an ATM machine to pay for the journey, the court heard.

He became violent when the driver suggested going to a relative to obtain cash, punching him about the head and face. McGrinder then kicked him while he was on the ground, according to the prosecution.

The victim managed to get into his car and shut the door just before a wing mirror was kicked off.

McGrinder told police he had drunk 10 bottles of beer and spent £80 on vodka in two bars in Strabane.

He said he remembered getting a taxi and realising he had no money. Although he claims to have no memory of carrying out the assault, his lawyers confirmed he accepts the driver’s account of what happened.

As the bail application resumed, a prosecution counsel detailed new intelligence which she said was not being linked to any known group.

However, Lord Justice McCloskey responded: “This court will not be dictated to by sinister elements of that kind.”

He granted McGrinder bail to live at an undisclosed address, with conditions.