© Jan Van der Perre
Mol –
A Dutch taxi driver was on trial for hitting a customer with a baton after a discussion about an unpaid taxi fare. “He only defended himself against an aggressive man,” his lawyer said.
The 61-year-old MR from Maastricht in the Netherlands risks a suspended prison sentence of one year for injuring a man in Mol. On November 5, 2023, the taxi driver took the victim from Maastricht to Mol. When it turned out that the passenger could not pay the bill of 233 euros, an argument broke out. “MR took a baton and hit the man on the head with it. Even when the victim was on the ground, he received three additional blows,” said public prosecutor Annelore Kennis at the court in Turnhout.
The taxi driver claimed that he defended himself in self-defense. His lawyer argued for the acquittal. “When he asked to pay with the bank card after the ride, it didn’t work. My client also asked the man to hand over his mobile phone as guarantee, but he did not want that either,” argued master Jef Peeters. “The man knew in advance that he could not pay and initially reacted aggressively. MR only defended himself with that stick against an aggressive person who was also under the influence.”
The judge will hand down a verdict on May 6. (bvdl)