An off-duty Dundee taxi driver battered a fellow cabbie after a row broke out over the route he was taking, a court heard.
Stuart Samson punched Suleman Suleman four times in the head, causing him to fall out of his taxi on to the pavement, after the 59-year-old accused the driver of being lost.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard Mr Suleman had picked up Samson as a fare shortly before the first-time offender, whose licence has now been suspended, saw red.
Depute fiscal Ashley Pollock said: “Mr Suleman is a taxi driver and attended at an address where he picked up the accused and a female passenger.
“The accused sat in the passenger seat and an argument arose between them. The accused said: ‘You better stop talking to me, stop the car, I’ll get out now.’
“Mr Suleman stopped the car and when he did, the accused punched him in the face. He was punched in the head four times and managed to open the door and fell out of the taxi.”
The court heard Samson was later traced and told police: “I was not happy with the way he was going.”
Kris Gilmartin, defending, said: “He is a taxi driver and his licence has been suspended. He has been driving for 26 years, with no previous convictions or complaints about his conduct at all.
“This conduct came out of the blue. The taxi driver didn’t know where he was going and an argument developed.
“Mr Samson paid £4 and was just about to leave. Mr Suleman placed a hand on his arm to say he would take him home and assist him.
“Instead of seeing that friendly gesture for what it was, Mr Samson assaulted him. He gets out of the car and regrets it almost immediately and makes arrangements to apologise to the man.
“He is extremely contrite and aware of the potential consequences. Mr Samson has indicated he can pay a fine over two months.”
Samson, 59, of Thornbank Court, admitted assaulting Suleman Suleman by repeatedly punching him on the head to his injury at Elmwood Road on September 20.
Sheriff Elizabeth Munro told Samson: “It is terrible to see a man of your age in court for the first time. I hope you appreciate I have some sympathy for you.”
Samson was ordered to pay Mr Suleman £400 compensation.