Aroute taxi driver who admitted striking another driver with a bat was reprimanded and discharged on Monday after telling the District ‘A’ Traffic Court that he had acted in self-defence during a fight involving a hammer and a baseball bat.
Fabian Andre Dacosta Duke, 39, of Arthur Seat, Quarry Road, St Thomas, admitted using unlawful violence towards Damien Daniel on October 16, with conduct that would cause another person of reasonable firmness to fear for their safety.
The court heard that Duke plies the Jackson and Warrens route and, on Friday, overtook Daniel, another ZR driver, in the Jackson area and picked up a passenger. Daniel then tried to overtake Duke but failed.
Duke then parked in a lay-by at Warrens. While he was sitting behind the steering wheel, Daniel pulled alongside his vehicle, got out with a hammer and confronted him about his driving. This led to a verbal altercation when Daniel struck Duke on the left side of his face and the back of his head with the hammer.
Duke exited the vehicle and armed himself with a baseball bat. The brawl brought pedestrian and vehicular traffic to a standstill. Duke sustained head injuries and drove to Black Rock Police Station. He identified Daniel as the person who had struck him.
Police obtained CCTV footage during the investigation. Duke told police that he had acted in self-defence after Daniel struck him with the hammer without provocation.
Daniel appeared in court on Saturday, pleaded guilty to affray and was ordered to pay a fine.
Magistrate Jared Richards reprimanded and discharged Duke.
(JB)
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