
A heavily intoxicated fare-dodger who punched a taxi driver in Ayr, leaving the cabbie with a bleed to the brain, has admitted to the attack in court. Craig Lucas pleaded guilty to assault to severe injury during a hearing at Ayr Sheriff Court.
The incident began when Lucas and a woman were picked up from the Boswell Park taxi rank and asked to be taken to Prestwick without giving a specific address. During the journey, Lucas was singing loudly, prompting the driver to use the intercom and ask him to stop.
The vehicle stopped after the female passenger asked to get out.
According to the prosecutor, Lucas exited the taxi, began arguing, and started to walk away without paying. When the driver reminded him that the fare was unsettled, Lucas "started to "dancing about like a dafty" before landing a punch to the left side of the cabbie's face.
The blow knocked the driver off the kerb and onto the road, while Lucas callously remarked "that is embarrassing" before walking away.
Although the victim initially drove off and attempted to finish his shift, he woke up in severe pain the following morning. Hospital examinations later revealed he suffered a bleed to the brain, elbow bruising, and ongoing headaches.
Police arrested Lucas roughly a week later after gathering CCTV evidence. Sheriff Siobhan Connelly warned Lucas that the crime was serious and ordered background reports before sentencing, while his bail was continued.

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