After attacking and racially abusing an Indian taxi driver, an Australian man tried to break his own finger to avoid being interrogated by the police, a Geelong court has heard.
The Victoria police told the Geelong Magistrate's Court how Madden tried to break his own finger and took a large bite from his hand to avoid being interviewed by the police.
"Prior to being interviewed, he tried to break his finger and pulled it out of its joint, and took a big bite out of the webbing of his hand to try to get hospitalised and avoid being interviewed," the Herald Sun quoted Corio Detective Senior Constable Ben Melis as saying.
Melis said the taxi driver was 'clearly terrified and horrified' after being punched, threatened and racially abused in Norlane on Saturday night.
According to the police, when the taxi arrived, Andrew Madden, 24, of Pettit Cres, Norlane, got into the front passenger seat of the vehicle, and Robert Harvey, 25, of Wendover Ave, Norlane, got into the back.
"There was an argument about pre-payment of $20 for the fare where both refused to pay. Robert Harvey became very aggressive and threatened the victim, saying he was going to stab him," Melis said.
"He said ''I''m going to f*** you over and repeatedly referred to him as a black c****," he added.
Harvey allegedly began punching the driver repeatedly, forcing him to stop the cab.
Thereafter, the driver fled from the car and Harvey made his way into the driver's seat, where he sat for a period before getting out and again set upon the driver, repeatedly punching him and making demands for money and the car keys, Melis said.
"His ultimate intention was to steal the motor vehicle," he added.
After hearing the argument, the court denied bail for Madden.
