Lucas Broughton grabbed a Uber driver by the neck during ‘terrifying’ journey to Gawler

A Gawler East man grabbed an Uber driver by the neck and smashed a passenger side mirror during a “terrifying” trip, a court has heard.

Lucas Brouhton placed his hands around the neck of an Uber driver during a trip to Gawler. Picture: File

A Gawler East man has apologised for being “awful” during a “terrifying” attack on an Uber driver who he grabbed by the neck during a trip.

Lucas William Broughton, 28, pleaded guilty in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Wednesday to assault and property damage at Smithfield on April 25 last year.

At one point during the journey to Gawler, Broughton put his hands around the driver’s neck and demanded he pull over.

Police prosecutor Carl Maynard said the accused got out of the car and asked the driver if he wanted to fight, before pushing a mirror on the passenger side of the car, “causing it to smash”.

Broughton was later found by police near Munno Para Shopping Centre “grossly intoxicated” and initially denied the assault and property damage, Mr Maynard said.

Lawyer Andrew Williams read out Broughton’s written apology to Uber in which he admitted to acting with “absolute disrespect” and he was “extremely intoxicated”.

“I had a vague memory of something happening. I don’t know why I acted like this. I’ve been having some problems in my life but that’s no excuse,” the apology said.

“I’d really love to speak to the driver and say how idiotic I was. I’m sorry for being awful.”

Mr Williams told the court Broughton drank several “fireballs” at a party on the night of the incident.

Lucas Broughton sent a written apology to Uber after the “terrifying” trip. Picture: Josh Edelson

“He can remember drinking a couple and can’t remember anything else,” he said.

Broughton woke up at his home the next morning and had an “uneasy feeling”.

He then went to the Gawler police station and told officers he “thought something bad had happened”.

Mr Williams said Broughton had not drunk for a “number of years” before the incident, until his stepfather died in Bali in September, 2019, which caused him to “fall off the wagon” and he “recommenced drinking every night”.

Mr Williams said his client had began receiving counselling and admitted he had an alcohol problem.

Police prosecutor Carl Maynard said he was swayed by Broughton’s “heartfelt” apology.

Magistrate Ben Sale was also impressed that Broughton had apologised quickly for the “terrifying” experience for the driver and offered to pay for the damage, which was more than $1000.

“It takes no small amount of courage,” Mr Sale said.

“There was a possibility you could have gotten away with this.

“You’ve made it a virtual certainty that wouldn’t happen. Making the job of the police very easy, I give you credit for that.”

However, Broughton received a three-month suspended prison term with a two-year good behaviour bond and a conviction.

“I imagine you would have been quite frightening to the Uber driver,” Mr Sale said.