Te Hakopa, 27 from Waterford West, jailed in Beenleigh Court for taxi driver bashing

A Logan man with a history of violent offending, punched a taxi driver because he could not afford the fare, a court has heard.

Te Maikoha James Hakopa faced Beenleigh Magistrates Court for punching a taxi driver

A Logan man with a history of violent offending, punched a taxi driver because he could not afford the fare, a court has heard.

Te Maikhoa James Hakopa, 27, pleaded guilty in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Monday, August 21 to assault occasioning bodily harm, fare evasion, wilful damage and obstructing a police officer.

The court heard that on March 25 in Loganlea, Hakopa was in a taxi and when the meter reached $11 he told the driver he could only pay $10.

The driver refused to allow the cheaper cost and demanded Hakopa pay the full fare.

The Waterford West man then started abusing the driver, opened the door and tried to get out of the car.

The court heard the driver tried to contact police and grabbed Hakopa by the shirt to stop him fleeing.

Hakopa then turned around and coward punched the victim with a swinging fist, breaking his sunglasses and causing bruising and swelling to his face.

He was then arrested by police and spat on the police station glass doors and smashed them, for which he was charged with wilful damage and obstructing a police officer.

The court heard Hakopa had previous jail sentences for bashing a man at a train station in 2019 and a gang attack on a fellow inmate in Wacol prison in 2021.

Magistrate Cameron McKenzie said any act of violence by the defendant would be met with a severe punishment.

“With your history, any time you attack an innocent victim, you will go to jail,” he said.

Hakopa was sentenced to 12 months prison and granted immediate parole.