Steven Hayes convicted for assaulting taxi driver in Coffs Harbour court

A 25-year-old man who racially abused and assaulted a taxi driver was labelled an “embarrassment to fellow Australians” during his court appearance.

A Coffs Harbour man was labelled an “embarrassment to fellow Australians” by a prosecutor after he racially abused a taxi driver during a shocking drunken assault.

Steven Hayes, aged 25, faced Coffs Harbour Local Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to a charge of common assault in relation to the June 26 incident.

Magistrate Ian Rodgers said Hayes and a number of other people had been drinking at his brother’s home when they called a cab.

During the ride, he said an intoxicated Hayes and the victim got into a verbal altercation. When the taxi stopped Mr Rodgers said the driver asked Hayes why he kept “causing s**t”.

Hayes slapped the driver on the side of the face with an open hand and told him “you bloody Indians, go back to India”.

Hayes’ lawyer told the court that the assault was out of character for the “valued” local tradesman, who had since had a chance encounter with the taxi driver and apologised.

The man was convicted in Coffs Harbour Local Court on Monday.

They added it was a wake-up call for Hayes in relation to his social drinking habits.

“He’s disappointed with himself and to that effect he’s moderated his drinking,” they said.

The prosecution however told Mr Rodgers he had previously been convicted on a charge of resisting arrest in 2014 after he got physically involved with police while intoxicated as they attempted to arrest another person at the Plantation Hotel.

“There’s an undertone of racial slurs,” they said, “it’s embarrassing, his conduct. He’s an embarrassment to fellow Australians who welcome people of all cultures.”

The concerns were echoed by Mr Rodgers, who pointed out that alcohol use did not make the offence any less serious.

“It’s more than embarrassing, it’s repulsive,” he said.

After taking into account his remorse and limited criminal history, Hayes was convicted and fined $1000 over the assault.