Couple’s vile racist abuse at taxi driver
Punched and bit victim
A boozed- up couple racially abused a taxi driver before battering him and belting his car after a funeral.
Gregor Cunningham, 35, punched and sunk his teeth into cabbie Hafiz Nazir after a row outside a bowling club.
Girlfriend Ashley O’Malley, 33, repeatedly dug her finger into his neck and hurled slurs at him before kicking his car.
The pair were spared jail after the admitted terrorising their terrified victim at Paisley Sheriff Court.
Defence lawyer Nadine Dormer claimed Cunningham lost the plot after drowning his sorrows.
She said: “I have explained to him how serious this is.
“There was extreme consumption of alcohol after a funeral. “He is disgusted with his behaviour.” Cunningham and O’Mally have a seven-year-old son together.
They had been attending a wake at Victoria Bowling Club in Paisley when they turned on Mr Nazir.
The court heard Cunningham, who works as a baker, lamped the driver on the head and bit his hand after hurling abuse at him.
O’Malley prodded him in the neck and bawled and swore at him before damaging his car.
She repeatedly punched and kicked the motor during the rammy last November 10.
Solicitor Terry Gallanagh insisted she was not a racist.
He added: “This was an aberration in relation to her conduct. “What fuelled it was alcohol. “She’s not one who usually consumes significant amounts of alcohol.
“She’s clearly not somebody who usually is involved in behaviour of this manner.
“She is absolutely ashamed she has acted in this manner.”
Cunningham shouted and swore at Mr Nazir and launched a glass off a wall after initially refusing to get out the taxi.
He was fined £725 for sparking the row and she was ordered to cough-up £450.
Sheriff Colin Pettigrew told the couple they will be dealt with harshly if they commit another offence.
He said: “There’s some suggestion there was an element of provocation, but you went well beyond that.
“Mr Cunningham, you punched a taxi driver and bit him.
“Ms O’Malley, your behaviour was much the same.
“You uttered racist remarks and lay your hands on the driver.
“I do not expect to see either of you back here.”
The pair, of Tiree Avenue, have been warned they face further punishment if they refuse to pay the fines.