A JOCKEY who punched a taxi driver and tried to ‘gouge his eye out’ is to be sentenced to community service.
The Irish Independent reports that Christopher Timmons, 29, of The Pines, Castleknock, Dublin had pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm in Donnybrook on July 24, 2016.
At his sentencing today, Judge Karen O'Connor spared him jail and ordered a report on his suitability for community service.
Pending the outcome of the report, he will be sentenced to 200 hours of community service in lieu of an 18-month prison sentence.
The court heard that Timmons hailed the cab on the night in question, but after confusion over a fare related to someone already in the taxi, Timmons punched and kicked the car.
The driver exited the vehicle to remonstrate with Timmons but when he returned to his car, the jockey grabbed him from behind by his shirt, punched him in the face and was trying to “gouge his eye out” with his fingers.
Timmons, who said he had since given up alcohol, brought €3,950 to court to cover the financial losses suffered by the taxi-driver as a result of the assault.
Judge O'Connor said testimonials on behalf of Timmons suggested that this was “out-of-character” behaviour.
