Taxi driver throws attacker out of cab in Grangemouth

He got into the private hire vehicle at a taxi rank in Bo’ness and asked to be taken to an address in Grangemouth.

During the journey, Davies, who was previously jailed for nine years for culpable homicide, put a belt around 60-year-old William McDonald’s neck and made a bid to throttle him.

However, the driver managed to bring his taxi to a halt in Esslemont Road, Grangemouth and a struggle broke out as Davies tried, but failed, to grab the takings.

Mr McDonald then opened the rear door, seized the accused and ejected him before driving off.

At the High Court in Edinburgh today Davies admitted assaulting and trying to rob Mr McDonald while he was working as a taxi driver by demanding money, attempting to strangle him with a belt in a moving vehicle, biting him and struggling with him on July 31 last year.

The court heard that unemployed Davies, of Clydesdale Street, Bo’ness, had 45 previous convictions, including culpable homicide, assault, fire-raising, public disorder and drugs.

Judge Lady Scott deferred sentence on Davies until next month and ordered a background report be prepared looking at the risk he poses.