An Ennis based Taxi Driver who assaulted a passenger in a row over a 15 euro fare will be sentenced in court today.
44 year old Okechukwu Utuke of Dún na hInse, Ennis, was found guilty of assault causing harm Michael L’Estrange in an incident in which the victim’s collarbone was broken.
Ennis Circuit Court heard last week that Michael L’Estrange hailed a taxi while walking towards his home in Gort na Blath on the Tulla Road on the night of April 25th, 2010 .
Mr L’estrange said the taxi driver – Okechukwu Utuke – demanded 15 euro for the fare home, which he said usually cost 7.50 from Ennis town centre.
He told the court: he "wasn’t paying that" and "threw 10 euro on the front passenger seat and got out of the car, when the driver "jumped on top of him", and hit him repeatedly.
Mr L’Estrange said he suffered a fractured collar bone and bruised ribs. – A witness took down the taxi number and gave it to gardaí .
Mr Utuke denied the assault but was found guilty by a jury after just 21 minutes deliberations.
He’s due to be sentenced later today
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