Hockley hammer trial: Brothers found not guilty of abusing cabbie

Callum Murphy, 25, along with his brother Craig, 31, both of Selbourne Road, Hockley, stood trial at Basildon Crown Court after allegedly committing affray by yelling abuse at a taxi driver, threatening him with a hammer and then smashing up his taxi in a row over a fare being paid upfront.

But the jury found them not guilty and the pair were acquitted.

The jury had previously heard from Murphy that he said he only had £10 on him at the time, and that he had asked the driver to drop them at a cash point.

READ MORE >>>

• Boy, 4, mugged inside Shoebury Common play area
• Man accused of manslaughter was 'beating chest in street before punching victim'
• Rayleigh cop stabbed 11 times on his doorstep wins award

The court was also told that during the alleged incident Craig Murphy, in the passenger seat, allegedly produced a hammer and grabbed the taxi driver.

The court previously heard that the the pair, and Jordan Dean, 32, of Laburnam Walk, Hornchurch, had been drunk and entered the taxi, before getting angry when the driver asked for the £20 fare up front.

The alleged incident took place at around 10.15pm on October 24, 2018, and Gabrielle McAvock, prosecuting, told the court the trio were not arrested until 10.45pm.