An Ennis based Taxi Driver who assaulted a passenger in a row over a 15 euro fare has escaped jail.
At Limerick Circuit Court, father of three , Okechukwu Utuke of Dún na hInse, Ennis, was handed down a two year suspended sentence for the attack in April 2010.
In a victim impact statement read out in court today Mr L’Estrange said he has been anxious since the attack, had no desire to go out and suffered repeated nightmares.
He added that the injuries he suffered from the assault by Mr Utuke in a row over the cost of a fare- have prevented him playing hurling or playing with his son.
The court also heard he also out of pocket to the tune of almost 12 thousand euro through loss of earnings and expenses.
In sentencing Mr Utuke – Judge Gerard Keyes said the 44 year old was holding down two jobs, lived in Ennis for seven years and never been in trouble before.
The 44 year old’s wife achieved citizenship earlier this year while his own is pending
Judge Keyes stated that said a custodial sentence is not warranted but a message must be sent out that this kind of assault is unacceptable and imposed a 2 year suspended sentence.
An offer of 3000 euro in compensation to the victim was offered by the taxi driver – but refused and Judge Keyes directed that the money be lodged in a client account to give Mr L’Estrange time to reconsider.
