A TAXI driver left a 73-year-old man with a broken leg after a road rage incident.

Ugene Haughey, who can't walk without a stick, was severely injured when taxi driver Alan Sproat flung open a car door into his leg and fractured it.

Sheriff James Scott yesterday ordered Sproat, who admitted purposefully letting the door swing on to Mr Haughey, to pay his victim £500 compensation.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard how Mr Haughey was parking in the city's Leith Walk on his way to pick up a prescription when he accidentally bumped into Sproat's expensive car.

Mr Sproat's wife was in their car and she telephoned her husband, who arrived shortly afterwards.

Mr Haughey had checked for damage but found none and gone on an errand. When he returned, Sproat was waiting for him. Mr Haughey tried to get into his car, but Sproat grabbed hold of the driver's door.

The pair struggled until Sproat, 59, of Vexhim Park, The Jewel, deliberately let go of the door causing it to smash into the older man's ankle.

Mr Haughey, who was distressed, spent ten days in hospital while his leg was treated. Sproat was traced by his registration plate number.

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