"Released from Prison Today," Man in 50s Who Assaulted Taxi Driver Again Sent Back to Jail

A man in his 50s who punched a taxi driver on the very day he was released from prison due to the court's leniency has been put back behind bars.

The 1st Criminal Division of the Jeonju Branch of the Gwangju High Court (Presiding Judge Jeong Moon-kyung) announced on October 10 that it sentenced Defendant A (52), who was indicted on charges including violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes (assault on drivers, etc.), to 1 year and 10 months in prison, upholding the lower court's ruling.

Defendant A was indicted on charges of assaulting a 74-year-old taxi driver, B, inside a moving taxi on a road in Wansan-gu, Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, at around 4:40 p.m. on March 10.

After boarding the taxi, he used profanity and commanded Driver B, saying, "Drive to the Seobu New City in Jeonju so I can get some food."

Offended by this, Driver B responded, "Don't swear and tell me your exact destination," but was met with punches from the passenger.

Defendant A shouted, "I got out of the cell today," while repeatedly striking the face of the driving taxi driver, leaving Driver B with serious injuries, including a broken nasal bone.

He had just been released from prison earlier that day after receiving a suspended prison sentence following his detention for another special injury offense.

The appellate court reprimanded him, stating, "The crime committed by the defendant could cause casualties and property damage to unspecified individuals by triggering traffic accidents as well as endangering the driver, making strict punishment necessary. Furthermore, the defendant committed the crime on the very day he was released from prison with a suspended sentence, making his culpability even greater."

The court ruled, "Considering that the defendant has repeatedly committed similar crimes, such as threatening his common-law spouse with a weapon, and that he has made no effort to restore damage for the victim, a prison sentence is inevitable."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
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