A taxi driver was attacked and badly injured after he squared up to boys who had pelted his vehicle with snowballs.
The victim suffered fractures to his nose and jaw when he was punched and kicked by a 16-year-old.
Hamilton Sheriff Court was shown footage of the attack that was captured on the cabbie’s dashcam.
The teenager, now 17, admitted assaulting the taxi driver to his severe injury in Woodlands Avenue, Bothwell, on January 7 last year.
Sheriff Linda Nicolson ordered him to carry out 300 hours of unpaid community work.
Rebecca Clark, prosecuting, said the incident happened about 3.15pm.
The driver stopped his taxi when it was struck by a snowball thrown from a group of boys. As he pulled up, a second snowball hit the car.
Ms Clark told the court: “The driver got out and approached the boys in an aggressive manner.
“He squared up to the accused who punched him on the face, causing him to lose his balance due to the icy conditions.
“He fell to the ground, striking his head in the process.
“The accused proceeded to punch and kick him with force on the face while the driver was on the ground.
“Witnesses, including the boy’s mother, intervened and he made off.
“Members of the public assisted [the driver] who had swelling and cuts to his face.
“The emergency services were contacted and he was taken to hospital.”
Defence agent Andy Thomson said CCTV and dashcam footage showed that the initial aggression was from the taxi driver who tried to punch or push the teenager.
Mr Thomson conceded: “My client reacted in an inappropriate way and wishes to apologise.
“However, the social work report is excellent.
“Since the offences this young man has been of good behaviour and managed to obtain his own tenancy and employment.”
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