A drunken pub-goer who attacked an Uber driver and damaged his vehicle has been described by a judge as 'aggressive, boarish and bullying.' Jamie Simms, 33, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage at Teesside Crown Court.
Attack on the driver
On January 24 last year, Simms booked an Uber from The Navigation pub in North Ormesby, Middlesbrough. The court heard he argued with a woman about house keys before getting into the cab. Simms sat behind the driver and demanded, 'Turn up the music, son,' kicking the back of the seat when the driver did not respond quickly enough.
When the driver asked Simms to say 'please,' Simms replied, 'Who the f*** do you think you are talking to?' While traveling at 50mph, Simms leaned forward, shouted at the driver, and demanded his money back—though he had already paid online. The driver pulled over on the slip road to Teesside Park. Simms then grabbed the driver's neck, ripped his t-shirt, and got out to repeatedly kick the car, destroying the wing mirror. The incident was captured on dashcam.
Impact on the victim
The victim stated he could not work for two weeks because he could not afford immediate repairs. He borrowed money to cover family expenses. Total losses were £2,000: £1,000 for car repairs and £1,000 in lost earnings.
Sentence and compensation
Simms, of Normanby Road, Middlesbrough, earns £65,000 a year and has a mortgage and children. His barrister, Caoimhe Bicknell, said he is willing to pay compensation. Judge Joanne Kidd noted the 'significant consequences' on the victim and said, 'Your behaviour, in drink, was aggressive, boarish and bullying.' She sentenced Simms to 14 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, with 15 hours of rehabilitation, 200 hours of unpaid work, and £2,000 compensation at £300 per month.
