Fare-dodging attacker waits to hear his fate

Nov 11 2008 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

A FORMER Perth man who terrorised staff at a taxi office will discover his fate on December 17.

Patrick Manion was to have been sentenced last week but no background reports were available from social services in London, where the accused now stays.

The court was told previously that Manion repeatedly struck Izzat Aziz Mohammed when he took issue with his fare dodging, before causing a rumpus the next night by brazenly returning to the scene of his outburst to search for his missing mobile phone.

Depute fiscal Stuart Richard son said Manion decided to let his fists do the talking near McNeill Taxis’ Fair City base at around midnight, following a night out.

“Mr Manion, who was with some friends, asked to be taken to another area of Perth,” he told the court.

“Mr Mohammed drove his taxi off in that direction and a dispute arose after Mr Manion said he wouldn’t be paying the fare.

“Once he had been told that, Mr Mohammed about-turned in the taxi and drove back to outside the taxi office where the journey had started.

“Upon arrival there, Mr Manion lost his temper and began to assault Mr Mohammed both inside the taxi and outside by punching him repeatedly.”

Manion fled after the attack, which left the driver with grazing to his head and nose, but not requiring medical treatment.

However, taxi staff discovered his mobile inside the cab and contacted the police, who attended at St Leonard’s Bridge.

After officers had gone, Manion returned looking for his handset. When told it was in police hands, his fury erupted again.

“He didn’t accept that and began shouting and swearing at the lady who was working at the taxi office,” said Mr Richardson.

“He shouted at her: ‘You don’t know who you are dealing with’.

“Police were again contacted and they came and found Manion was still there and he was arrested.”

Manion (51), of London, admitted assaulting Mr Mohammed in Priory Place, and conducting himself in a disorderly manner at McNeill Taxis, threatening violence, placing people in a state of fear and alarm and committing a breach of the peace.

Describing Manion’s behaviour as “disgraceful”, Sheriff Robert McCreadie said the issue of compensation needed to be addressed.