Principal punched taxi driver, grabbed wheel in Bruce Hwy ride

Frustrated when his taxi driver started taking him in the wrong direction, this school principal punched a taxi driver in the head before grabbing the steering wheel.

Granville State School principal Leon Alexander McKay during an appearance before Maryborough Magistrates Court.

Frustrated when his taxi driver started taking him in the wrong direction, a Maryborough school principal punched a taxi driver in the head before grabbing the steering wheel while travelling on the Bruce Highway.

Leon Alexander McKay pleaded guilty in Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday to serious assault of a person over 60 and interfering with control of a driver’s vehicle.

The case was heard at the Southport court after McKay entered a guilty plea at his last appearance at Maryborough Magistrates Court and his legal representative requested the charges be dealt with there.

McKay, 53, claimed he was frustrated because the cab driver refused to stop the taxi on the highway despite being told he was taking him in the wrong direction.

The incident happened on December 10 last year.

McKay was the former principal of Granville State School.

Magistrate Grace Kahlert fined him $2500 and ordered he pay the taxi driver $800 in compensation.

No conviction was recorded.

“This behaviour is completely and utterly unacceptable,” she said.

Magistrate Kahlert said it not only placed the cab driver in danger but also other road users.

The court was told McKay had been drinking at a home on Arthur St, Maryborough when he became grossly intoxicated.

His friends put him in the taxi and gave the address of Bluebell Road, Tinana.

But McKay lives in Bluegum Court, Maryborough.

The court was told when on the Bruce Highway, McKay began to argue with the driver and asked him to pull over.

The driver refused because he feared for McKay’s safety if he dropped him off on the side of the highway.

That is when McKay punched the taxi driver twice in the head and grabbed the steering wheel.

Defence barrister Marcin Lazinski said it was “difficult to explain (McKay’s) actions”.

He said McKay had been on pain medication for a shoulder injury at the time and had drunk beer followed by spirits.

Mr Lazinski said McKay had been stood down as principal since the incident and was under investigation about whether he would remain suitable to teach.