A homeless man hired a taxi then threatened the driver with a knife after refusing to pay the fare.
Jordan Hutchison, 27, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Friday. He admitted assaulting the cabbie in Nethan Place, Hamilton, on April 4.
Rebecca Clark, prosecuting, said the accused asked for a taxi home from Glasgow to Hamilton for him and a friend.
She told the court: “When they reached their destination there was a dispute over the £32.10 payment.
“Hutchison, who was in the back seat, withdrew a large kitchen knife and pointed it towards the driver, saying ‘I don’t give you money’.
“Hutchison then made off and the police were contacted. Officers arrived to find him nearby.
“He told them ‘It’s all on me. I held the knife at him. I couldn’t pay for the taxi. I’m homeless’.”
The court heard Hutchison, who has no previous convictions, added ‘I don’t know why I did that. Tell the man I’m sorry’.
Sheriff Colin Dunipace said it was a “very serious” charge and deferred sentence until next month.
Hutchison, who gave his current address as a homeless complex in Glasgow, had his bail continued.
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