Trial in Feldkirch

“Quick-witted” cab driver has to pay the price

An extremely defensive cab driver was brought to justice at Feldkirch Regional Court on Wednesday for "disciplining" an aggressive passenger excessively.

The 55-year-old Romanian driver felt like he was in a fake movie when Judge Lisa Pfeifer found him guilty of grievous bodily harm and coercion. The verdict, which is not yet final, is a six-month suspended prison sentence and a 2100 euro fine. In addition, the "quick-witted" Romanian must pay the victim 500 euros in partial compensation for pain and suffering. Yet it was the passenger who had attacked the taxi driver with an emergency hammer that night.

But one thing at a time: In mid-January, the 53-year-old man from Oberland got into the accused's cab at Bludenz train station to drive to Nüziders. However, when it came to paying the almost 13 euros at the end of the journey, the passenger got out of the taxi, smashed the driver's side window with an emergency hammer and then ran off. The chauffeur, who was unharmed, then takes off in his cab in pursuit. "I confronted him and told him several times to drop the hammer, otherwise I would hit him," says the 140-kilogram taxi driver. Shortly afterwards, the situation escalated and the giant punched the slender and heavily intoxicated passenger several times in the face. The injuries to the victim are considerable: in addition to a broken nose, the doctors at the hospital also diagnose a fracture to the cheekbone and the eye socket.

The victim can hardly remember anything
During the trial, the cab driver denied that he was responsible for the injuries sustained by the man from Oberland. "I only gave him a few slaps and deliberately didn't hit him in the nose or eye area." Moreover, the victim did not bleed at all after the slaps. This is contradicted by the pictures taken in hospital, which clearly show bleeding head and facial injuries on the victim.

I confronted him and told him several times to drop the hammer, otherwise I would hit him. But he didn't listen to me.

Der Taxler vor Gericht

As the latter only seems to have a vague recollection of the incident due to his alcohol problem and a diagnosed bipolar disorder, a psychiatric report is now to clarify whether the man from Oberland is responsible. If found guilty, the man may soon face a conviction for fraud, damage to property and assault.