A teenager brutally stabbed an Inverness taxi driver with screwdrivers and told him “I will make you blind,” a court has heard.
The then 16-year-old carried out the unprovoked attack on the man in the Highland capital on July 7 last year.
His 44-year-old victim had confronted the boy after fearing he and a friend were going to flee without paying his fare.
Nearby residents who witnessed the horrific attack on Chattan Avenue raced out to help the injured cabbie.
The now 17-year-old – who cannot be named due to his age – has pleaded guilty to assaulting the victim to his injury and danger of life and attempting to rob him.
He will be sentenced next month.
The taxi driver became ‘suspicious’
The High Court in Glasgow heard how the taxi driver, who worked for City Taxis at the time, picked up the boy and his female friend in the early hours of July 7.
During the journey, the girl claimed she had forgotten her bank card and asked to return to where they had been collected.
Prosecutor Greg Farrell said the driver became “suspicious” that they would not pay the fare.
He agreed to go back but only if one of the pair remained in the car.
They returned, the girl got out and then the boy followed.
Mr Farrell told the court: “[The taxi driver] advised them to pay or he would call police”.
The teenager initially claimed he would stump up, but then “without warning” punched the taxi driver.
The young attacker screamed: “Give me money”.
‘I will make you blind’
Mr Farrell said: “[The taxi driver] tried to re-enter his vehicle but the accused swung his arms while making repeated stabbing motions while saying ‘I will make you blind’.
“[The taxi driver] felt blood running from his head and was aware he had been stabbed.
“He struggled with [the boy] and observed he had a screwdriver in each hand.”
The victim managed to grab one of the tools, but the teenager continued the attack with the other and started to choke him too.
He went on to hold the screwdriver at the cabbie’s eyes as he still demanded money.
The terrified cabbie eventually managed to escape back to his vehicle before the boy smashed a window.
Three people then helped the injured man, with two bravely restraining the attacker while waiting for police.
After the victim was rushed to hospital he was found to have a number of wounds to his neck, head and back.
Luckily, he did not need surgery and was able to leave hospital later that day.
The attacker was in the meantime quizzed by police and said: “Why would I want to kill the boy? It is the first time I have seen him in my full life.
“F*****g hell, lying b*****d,” he added.
The teenager is currently held in Kibble Secure Unit in Paisley.
The judge Lady Stacey adjourned sentencing pending the preparation of reports.
For all the latest court cases in Aberdeen and the latest crime and breaking incidents, join our new Facebook group.
