Man who assaulted Uber driver in downtown St. John's fined $100
Driver says he's glad to see justice after passenger swiped side of his head
A man who assaulted an Uber driver near George Street last summer — swiping the side of his head and knocking off his glasses — has been fined $100 in a St. John's court.
Colin Farrell, 42, pleaded guilty to assault. The judge gave him an absolute discharge, plus a $100 victim fine surcharge.
"No person going to work should expect to be the victim of a criminal offence," said Judge Jennifer Mercer in provincial court Thursday.
The driver, Gary Noftall, said he's satisfied with the outcome. The assault happened in St. John's last June, after Farrell called an Uber to go to William's Lane, near George Street.
During the drive, Noftall said the passenger became upset that it was taking too long.
Dashcam footage captured Farrell swearing at the driver, then swiping the side of his head and knocking his glasses off.
"It's important that people understand if you get in somebody else's car ... there's a very high standard for your conduct," said Noftall after the court decision.
Noftall had originally experienced some difficulty filing charges.
Farrell is currently living in Alberta, and appeared in court virtually. His lawyer said he acknowledges he was far too intoxicated that night and behaved poorly.
Judge Mercer said she considered the fact Farrell was a first-time offender, and accepted responsibility through a guilty plea.
As for the $100 fine, Noftall said it doesn't matter too much.
"It was, in the overall scheme of things, a relatively minor incident," said Noftall, who was the first person to drive for Uber at its launch in the province last year.
"But more important is this: that his conduct is being held not in front of the court — in front of the public."
Noftall still drives for Uber, but he tries to avoid George Street as much as possible. He said he feels the Uber platform is safe, and that the company has made a lot of enhancements that "clear up" bad behaviour.
He recommends other drivers should also get a dashcam.
"There's a lot of power in video footage," he said.
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