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Limo driver Peter Francis Tully pleads guilty to attack on Uber driver

A Gold Coast chauffeur was so incensed by an Uber driver’s parking he lashed out – and has now paid the penalty. Here’s how the argument started. WATCH VIDEO AS HE RUNS FROM MEDIA

Peter Francis Tully runs from media as he leaves court

A LIMO driver was so incensed with how a Gold Coast Uber driver had parked he head butted him and then punched him in the head.

Peter Francis Tully had moments earlier told a convenience store worker he “hated” Uber drivers, the Southport Magistrates Court was told

The 53-year-old pleaded guilty on Thursday to assault occasioning bodily harm and wilful damage.

Peter Francis Tully tries to hide his face from waiting media as he leaves court in Southport. Picture: Lea Emery.
Peter Francis Tully tries to hide his face from waiting media as he leaves court in Southport. Picture: Lea Emery.

Magistrate Grace Kahlert sentenced Tully to 80 hours community serviced and ordered he pay $500 in compensation.

“You engaged in verbal abuse and then continued that, damaged his car by kicking and it is very concerning you headbutted and punched him,” she said.

“He had a significant black eye for a couple of weeks ... he was simply going about his job at the time.”

Tully pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm and wilful damage. Picture: Lea Emery.
Tully pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm and wilful damage. Picture: Lea Emery.

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Police prosecutor Senior Constable Daniel McShane said Tully had pulled up behind the Uber driver outside the Pit Stop and News in Surfers Paradise about 7.40am on February 27 this year.

He said the pair argued over the parking spot and Tully went inside.

Inside the store he told the clerk he hated Uber drivers.

When Tully came outside he attacked the driver while he was in the car.

The attack left the driver with a black eye and a small cut.

Tully had since lost his job due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Picture: Lea Emery.
Tully had since lost his job due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Picture: Lea Emery.

Defence lawyer Mollie Roper, of Cooper Maloy Legal, said Tully had paid for the damage done to the car door due to the kick.

“His anger overwhelmed him and my client accepts he acted completely disproportionately,” she said.

Tully also offered to pay $500.

Ms Roper said Tully had lost his job due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She said he had recently picked up work as a limo driver but was yet to be paid.

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Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts/limo-driver-peter-francis-tully-pleads-guilty-to-attack-on-uber-driver/news-story/051063c52399ffac076fd27161394088