ladbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Man Sentenced After Farting In Uber Ends In Assault Charges

Man Sentenced After Farting In Uber Ends In Assault Charges

James Mallett let rip as he was being driven to Chasers nightclub in Kingswood, South Gloucestershire, by Uber driver Alexsander Bonhchev

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

A man has received a suspended jail term after breaking wind in the back of an Uber taxi.

Bristol Live reports that 35-year-old James Mallett let rip as he was being driven to Chasers nightclub in Kingswood, South Gloucestershire, by Uber driver Alexsander Bonhchev.

Bonchev understandably wasn't best pleased by the 'offensive' actions of his drunken passenger, and told Mallett to 'leave the vehicle' - the incident being the last straw after he had suffered abuse from other customers.

Bristol Crown Court heard how Mallet left as instructed, but as he did so he offered to fight Bonchev and hit him, before Bonchev ended up striking Mallett in the face in self-defence, knocking him down.

Mallett pleaded guilty to assault occasioning harm on 30 November, and was handed a six-month jail term, suspended for 18 months.

PA

He was also ordered to pay £500 ($650) compensation and to complete 120 hours of unpaid work.

David Scutt, prosecuting, said Bonchev received a call to collect Mallett and three others, who were heading to Chasers.

"As he was driving the defendant broke wind," Scutt said. "Mr Bonchev found that offensive. He asked them to leave the vehicle."

After Bonchev threw back a punch at his passenger, a young woman with Mallett persuaded her companion to leave.

Scutt continued: "They walked off towards Forest Road and police located him in Forest Road, Fishponds.

"He was spoken to, he was injured and had a cut to his bottom lip. He was plainly intoxicated."

Stock image of an Uber driver.
PA

Scutt told the court that Mallett was abusive to police, claiming Bonchev had assaulted him.

Anthony Bignall, defending Mallett, told the court his client cared for a dependant relative, employed four people and was described as a 'polite, helpful, well-behaved and courteous' man.

He said: "He behaved in an unattractive manner that night."

Bonchev said in an impact statement that he had to give up work, and could not pay for his car or rent. After ending up homeless, he returned to his native Bulgaria.

Recorder Alexia Power said: "Mr Bonchev sustained a broken finger, he was unable to work, lost his job with Uber, lost his accommodation and lost his car.

"All because he was doing his job that evening."

An Uber spokeswoman told LADbible: "This kind of behaviour is totally unacceptable. There is no place for violence in our communities or on the Uber platform, and anyone found to be behaving in this manner risks permanently losing access to the app."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: UK News, News, Uber