A thug who punched and spat on a Lanarkshire cabbie who refused his fare has been jailed for 20 months.
Michael McTaggart lashed out at a taxi rank in Rutherglen on November 19 last year.
The 44-year-old had fled from another taxi the previous day without paying the £8.40 bill.
The driver from the first incident informed his colleague of what had happened before McTaggart entered his taxi.
The driver rejected McTaggart's business which led to the violent confrontation.
McTaggart later threatened: "I'm Mick McTaggart from Rutherglen, I will come back to get both of you."
McTaggart pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to fraud and assaulting the driver to his injury.
He also admitted wilfully or recklessly destroying property and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.
McTaggart will begin his latest jail term after he completes 183 days of a previous stint.
The court heard a drunk McTaggart initially approached a cab and asked to be taken to Hamilton Road in Cambuslang.
He later changed his request to the area's Halfway.
Prosecutor Sara Latta said: "The driver pulled up in Halfway and told McTaggart it would be £8.40.
"McTaggart didn't react and exited the taxi, failing to pay."
The driver refused to chase McTaggart and did not inform the police as he did not know his final destination.
But the driver did inform his colleague about the incident later that day.
The hearing was told McTaggart entered another cab the following night and requested a fare to Halfway which was refused.
He was recognised due to the description given and the first driver was later asked to attend and confirm McTaggart's identification.
Miss Latta said: "McTaggart punched the victim to his left cheek bone but the driver punched back.
"McTaggart then spat twice with spittle landing on the victim's face."
McTaggart then dented the passenger door by kicking it before making the threatening remark.
Police later arrested McTaggart who admitted to officers that he called the victim a "tadger."
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