SCALES OF JUSTICE Thugsmashed taxi partition to grabhandbrake
A THUG who smashed the glass partition in a taxi and grabbed the handbrake while the car was moving, has avoided a prison sentence.
Owen Fitzpatrick went on the rampage on February 1, 2014, after getting in a black taxi around 12.30am.
The 25-year-old flagged down the taxi before getting in and travelling to Ashgill Road, in the north of Glasgow.
The taxi driver became worried about his behaviour after he became aggressive and asked him to leave the taxi.
Fitzpatrick then kicked and smashed the partition separating the driver and passenger in the vehicle.
He leaned forward and grabbed the handbrake causing the driver fear and alarm and endangering their lives.
After getting out of the taxi, the thug smashed the passenger side window with his elbow.
Police were called and on their arrival, Fitzpatrick attempted to head butt one officer, before making noises as if he was going to spit on them.
His torrent of abuse continued on to Maryhill police station, where he made homophobic remarks to an officer.
He then attempted to lunge at the officer, who was locking him in a cell and struck him on the neck to his injury.
The officer took 15 minutes to persuade the accused to calm down.
Fitzpatrick, of Williamswood, Kilsyth, appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to the crimes.
He was also charged with an incident which took place on August 8, 2015.
On this day, he was at Cottiers pub in Hyndland Street, following his brother’s wedding.
Around 11.20pm, the accused was seen approaching another member of the wedding party before punching him to the face, causing him to fall to the ground, then kicking him to the face.
Sheriff Norman Ritchie ordered Fitzpatrick to undergo a direct alternative to custody.
He was handed 18 months supervision, 200 hours of unpaid work and will have to pay £750 of compensation to the taxi driver.
Sentencing on the later matter were deferred.