Connah's Quay,North Wales - Man punched taxi driver and broke his jaw

Published date: 26 February 2016 | 

Published by: Staff reporter
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A DEESIDE man punched a taxi driver in the face and broke his jaw.

Marc Lewis, 35, denied a charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm but was convicted by a jury at Mold Crown Court by a ten to two majority.

Judge David Hale bailed him pending sentence on Friday so he could see the probation service.

Prosecuting barrister Sion ap Mihangel told how Lewis, of Cae Llys Close in Connah’s Quay, booked a taxi to take himself and his girlfriend to Connah’s Quay on June 13 last year.

Taxi driver Stephen Anthony Taylor drove them but the defendant asked him to stop at a kebab shop in Queensferry so he could pick up some food.

The taxi driver said it was not be possible as he had others to pick up but Lewis said he would have to stop anyway as he needed money from the bank.

When the taxi stopped for him to go to the bank, Lewis went to the kebab shop where there was a queue of people.

Mr Taylor approached him on two occasions and said he would have to go but Lewis became threatening, was swearing, and punched him once to the chin.

Mr Taylor left the scene and drove away but was unable to sleep that night and was in so much pain that he went to hospital, where it was confirmed his jaw had been broken.

Arrested and interviewed the defendant accepted he was quite drunk that night.

In evidence, he claimed it had been pre-arranged that they should stop for the take away meal which he had already ordered.

He accepted he had pushed Mr Taylor away and made contact with his face but was not aware of causing him any injury – and claimed that he only acted in self-defence.

Lewis accepted he had been a bit sneaky in going to the kebab shop after the taxi stopped for him to get cash but denied he was being awkward and wanted his own way.

Lewis, who works as a machinery trainer for his father’s firm, was bailed pending sentence.

The court heard how he had previous convictions including an assault back in 2008.

see-http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/159113/connah-s-quay-man-punched-taxi-driver-and-broke-his-jaw.aspx