A fare-dodger threatened to “smack” a taxi driver – and his car – after taking him on a whistlestop tour of Aberdeen.
Dylan Stewart asked the driver to take him to no less than five different locations across the city before eventually disappearing without paying.
The 25-year-old told the driver he’d be back shortly to pay, but when he didn’t reappear the driver phoned him.
Stewart then threatened to assault the driver if he ever called again.
Fiscal depute Kiril Bonavino told Aberdeen Sheriff Court that around 10am on April 3 last year, the taxi driver picked up Stewart and another male on Newton Road in Aberdeen.
Firstly the pair were taken to a shop nearby Middlefield Place and then back to Newton Road where the other male got out.
Offences branded ‘troubling’
Mr Bonavino said: “The accused asked the taxi driver to be conveyed to Oldcroft Place in Aberdeen. On arrival, the accused alighted and asked him to wait.
“The accused returned after 10 minutes and asked to be taken to an address on Millburn Street.”
Once there, Stewart entered a nearby pharmacy before returning and asking to go to Wingate Road.
Mr Bonavino continued: “After being taken there, the accused alighted from the taxi and advised that he would return a short time later to make payment.
‘He’s very suggestible and gets involved with this kind of stupidity’
“However, he failed to return and the taxi driver called the accused’s mobile number.
“The accused answered and threatened to smack the taxi driver, along with his taxi, should the taxi driver call him again.”
Police were then contacted over the threats and Stewart’s unpaid £37.80 fare.
Stewart, of Newton Road, Aberdeen, pled guilty to deliberately not paying the fare and to threatening to assault the driver and damage his car.
Defence agent Alex Burn said his client, who suffers from ADHD and dyslexia, had “little recollection” of the offences.
He added that Stewart also had a difficult upbringing.
The solicitor said described Stewart as “vulnerable”, adding: “He’s very suggestible and gets involved with this kind of stupidity.”
Sheriff William Summers said the offences were “troubling” and ordered Stewart to be supervised for a year and complete 135 hours of unpaid work.
He also made a compensation order for Stewart to pay the taxi driver the £37.80 fare.
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