Broken bottle thug threatened taxi driver

A thug punched his girlfriendin ataxi then threatened the driver with a broken bottle after being told they would haveto walk home.

Hamilton Sheriff Court heard that Ryan McMillan made the frightened cabbie hand back the £8 fare.

McMillan, 24, admitted assaulting the woman and assaulting and robbing a male taxi driver.

Violence flared as they were being driven along the A725 near Blantyre on April 10, 2021.

Alice Carey, prosecuting, said the couple andanother male and female were travelling from East Kilbride in the early hoursof the morning.

She told the court:“The woman began an argument with McMillan in the back of the taxi. She shouted andswore at him and brandished a bottle.

“On hearing the disturbance the driver pulled over to the side of the dual carriageway.

“The couple were now in a physical altercation. McMillan grabbed his partner by the hair and punched her repeatedly on the head.The other two personsin the back seats managed to split up the fight.

“The taxi driver then asked them all to getout. McMillan became hostile, shouting‘Give me my money back or you’ll get this bottle in you’.

“Heagain demanded moneyand called the drivera p***.

“The driver gave him £8 and all four passengers made off on foot.”

Defenceagent Jackson Bateman admitted his client’s record is“poor”but said he has been in no trouble since this incidentandis working.

Mr Bateman added:“He seems to have made significant changes for the better.”

Sheriff Colin Dunipace deferred sentence until nextmonthandcontinued bail.

He told McMillan, of Ann Court, Hamilton:“This is your fifthappearance on indictment for matters relating to disorder or violence

“At the ageof 24 that’san appalling record and I could easily deal with you today by wayof asignificant period of imprisonment. However, I’llexplore all avenuesavailable to the court.”