Tyson Beasley, Shonita Hopes assault taxi driver at Yeppoon

A couple that unleashed a flurry of punches on a Central Queensland taxi driver claim they were reacting to his ‘indecent touching’.

Tyson James Beasley and Shonita Hopes both pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court on December 1 to assault.

A couple who attacked a Yeppoon taxi driver with a flurry of punches claim they were provoked by an indecent act from him.

Tyson James Beasley, 34, and Shonita Hopes, 34, each pleaded guilty on December 1 in Yeppoon Magistrates Court to assault.

Hopes had her matter dealt with first, with the court hearing she and Beasley were involved in the assault of a taxi driver at Yeppoon on September 9.

Police prosecutor Mirren Smith said at 9.40pm on September 9, Hopes was at a unit complex on Guy Street before getting into the front passenger seat of the taxi.

“While in the front passenger seat of the vehicle, (Hopes) has questioned the (taxi driver) as to whether he had been inappropriately touching (a female relative),” Ms Smith said.

“(Hopes) has repeatedly sworn at the (taxi driver) before striking him with multiple punches, both from the left and right hands.”

“The (taxi driver) has attempted to drive away but (Hopes) remained in the vehicle for a short time, continuing with the assault.”

Ms Smith said the assault was captured on CCTV footage in the taxi.

“That footage clearly depicts the above offence,” Ms Smith said.

The prosecutor said police attended the scene about 9.45pm and spoke with Hopes who appeared intoxicated.

On November 14, police further spoke with Hopes and she was subsequently charged.

In relation to Beasley’s offending, the court was told Beasley at some point approached the driver’s door of the vehicle and told the taxi driver to take his glasses off, before gesturing for the driver to get out of the vehicle.

“(Beasley) has struck the (driver) to the face through his open window of the door,” Ms Smith said.

“The (driver) has attempted to drive from the incident location and (Beasley) has punched the (driver) to the face with a closed fist.”

Beasley’s actions were also captured on CCTV footage.

The court heard that police also spoke with Beasley on the night of the incident and he also appeared intoxicated.

At a later date, Beasley was interviewed by police and charged.

Tyson James Beasley and Shonita Hopes.

The court heard a self-represented Hopes had two entries on her criminal history including a public nuisance offence.

Acting Magistrate Ron Muirhead questioned Hopes on her motives.

“So there was some suggestion that he (taxi driver) indecently touched (the relative), that’s the case was it, or?”

Hopes confirmed that was her claim, but said she had not contacted the police.

Mr Muirhead said that was what she should have done, “and you probably still can for that matter but that’s up to yourself.”

Beasley, who the court heard had two dated entries on his criminal history, was also urged to contact authorities in future incidents.

“You can’t just take the law into your own hands,” Mr Muirhead said.

Hopes and Beasley were each fined $200 and neither had a conviction recorded.