Man who bit taxi driver’s ear off amid row over £ 8.80 fare is jailed

A THUG who bit a taxi driver’s ear off amid a row over an £ 8.80 fare was jailed yesterday for 42 months.

Robert Fleming, 27, pounced on Gerard Magee in Glasgow city centre’s Sauchiehall Street on October 8, 2021.

Fleming refused to pay the fare or leave the taxi when told by Mr Magee.

The pair later got involved in a struggle in which Mr Magee was put in a headlock.

The attacker shouted: “I will bite your f*** ing ear off.”

Fleming repeatedly punched his victim before chewing on the top of his ear.

Fleming, who appeared from custody, was convicted at Glasgow Sheriff Court of assaulting Mr Magee to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

The court heard Fleming’s friend booked a taxi from the city’s Knightswood into the city centre.

He was dropped off at Sauchiehall Street and the £ 8.80 fare was refused.

Mr Magee told the court that he ordered Fleming to leave his taxi but he refused. He then dragged the passenger out by his legs as Fleming grabbed the seat to stay inside.

Mr Magee said: “He told me he was going to stab me.”

Mr Magee punched Fleming once in “self- defence”.

Fleming then made the threat about biting Mr Magee’s ear off.

The victim was put into a headlock, was repeatedly punched and had the top of his ear bitten off.

Prosecutor Lauren Donnelly told jurors in her closing speech: “This was a man who was in his place of work carrying out a service to the public trying to make a living.”

Mr Magee immediately went to hospital where he was treated with 20 stiches. The trial was told that he has the option of an operation to have the ear prophetically treated.

He later walked from his home to the police station nearby to report the matter.