Wrexham taxi driver assault man claims his drinks had been spiked

By Claire Gallagher

A FATHER punched a taxi driver seven times on the head following an argument with his wife.

On June 6 Richard Arthur Carroll attended his son’s christening and then he and his wife went out drinking with friends in Wrexham.Carroll, 27, of Concorde Row, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court to admit assaulting taxi driver John Anthony David Barratt by beating and damaging a wooden fence belonging to Brian Clifford Matthews.

Rod Williams, defending, said: “The christening was at All Saints at 12.30pm and there was a reception at the Wynnstay at 2pm.“It finished at 6pm and they went into town with friends.

“He normally drinks pints of lager but later discovered his friends had been spiking his drinks during the course of the night.”

The couple left to get a taxi at about midnight.Emily Downing, prosecuting, said: “The taxi driver picked up the defendant with a female and was taking them to a specific location.

“An argument ensued and the female started saying ‘help me, take me to my mums.’

“The taxi driver told the defendant to get out. Barratt walked to the passenger side of the car and then the defendant punched Barratt.

“Barratt received seven more blows to the head. He grabbed him by the neck to restrain him and they fell through a fence.”

Mr Williams said that his client, a gas engineer, wanted to apologise to the taxi driver and the resident whose fence was damaged.“He accepts full responsibility and he’s thoroughly ashamed of his behaviour,” he said.

“The incident occurred as a direct consequence of too much alcohol. He will lose his job and he is the main breadwinner.”

Magistrates ordered Carroll to pay compensation of £100 to Mr Barratt, to pay a fine of £300 with court costs of £60 and a victim surcharge of £15.

Magistrates chairman Pat Thomas said: “You make sure nobody else sticks anything in your drink.”