Cabbie walks free from court after 'bizarre' confrontation with Edinburgh Airport boss who sat on taxi bonnet and filmed him

Iain Hunter, 60, was ordered to appear in court after an incident involving Edinburgh Airport chief executive Gordon Dewar one day last May.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard on Thursday how Mr Hunter was dropping a fare off when he was confronted by Mr Dewar.

Sheriff Roderick Flinn heard how Mr Dewar “sprinted” the entire length of an airport car park to confront Mr Hunter, who was allegedly parked in a prohibited area.

The court heard how Mr Dewar didn’t have any identification on him and decided to sit on the bonnet of Mr Hunter’s car.

The executive then decided to start filming Mr Hunter and this caused him to become alarmed.

Moments later, Mr Hunter became so concerned about what what was happening, he tried to get away from the scene.

But the court heard that in trying to get away, Mr Hunter’s car struck Mr Dewar - but it didn’t cause him any injuries.

Absolute discharge

However, the police charged Mr Hunter, of Edinburgh, and he pleaded guilty to a breach of the peace charge on Thursday.

However, Sheriff Flinn decided to grant the first offender an absolute discharge - meaning he doesn’t have a criminal record and can continue to work as a taxi driver.

Sheriff Flinn decided on the disposal after being addressed by defence solicitor Paul Dunne.

Mr Dunne said: “This incident would not have occurred if it wasn’t for the bizarre behaviour of Mr Dewar. His behaviour caused the entire incident to escalate out of control.

“I would ask your lordship to deal with this matter by way of absolute discharge. He has no previous convictions and no outstanding cases.

“If the matter can not be dealt by way of absolute discharge then Mr Hunter will have to appear before the taxi licensing committee of Edinburgh City Council.”

The court heard that Mr Dewar confronted Mr Hunter and started shooting video of the taxi driver’s licence plates.

Sheriff Flinn then heard that Mr Hunter started driving “slowly” towards Mr Dewar and that he then struck him.

Following the incident, the court heard that Mr Hunter called Mr Dewar a “p***k” and drove away.

'Unusual' behaviour

Mr Dunne told the court that Mr Dewar’s behaviour contributed to the incident taking place.

He added: “His behaviour was, in my submission, unusual. Indeed it could be described as being aggressive.

“He sprinted the full length of a car park at Edinburgh Airport. He doesn’t have any identification on his person. He doesn’t identify himself.

“He doesn’t do anything until he is challenged by Mr Hunter and he says is chief executive of Edinburgh Airport.

“He is instantly very confrontational.”

Mr Dunne told the court that his client became concerned for his safety and tried to move away from the scene.

He added that Mr Dewar then sat on his client’s bonnet and tried to stop him from getting away.

The lawyer added that Mr Hunter’s vehicle struck Mr Dewar.

He added: “His vehicle has slight contact but not so much as to cause Mr Dewar to take a step back. It is the merest of touches.”

Mr Dunne said that if Mr Dewar was concerned that his client was parked in a prohibited area, he could have surrounding CCTV cameras to establish the taxi driver’s identity.

He added: “None of this would have taken place if it were not for a chief executive who it would appear has nothing better to do than to enforce taxi parking regulations.

“I think it is fair to say that none of this would have happened if it wasn’t for Mr Dewar’s behaviour.”

Mr Dunne also raised concern that the police and Crown weren’t able to disclose CCTV footage of the full incident. He said that he was told that none covering the entire confrontation was recovered.

Mr Dunne added: “I find it impossible to believe that there’s not a square inch of Edinburgh Airport not covered by CCTV.

“It seems a little odd.”

Sheriff Flinn told Hunter he was free to leave court.

He added: “I’m prepared to grant an absolute discharge.”