AN ex-Nottingham Forest star head-butted and punched an Uber driver in a furious rage during a drunken row at a petrol station.
Former footie ace Gregor Robertson, 37, violently attacked the driver in Central London after lashing out at his vehicle on May 10 in 2019.
Uber driver Mohammed Ahmed was driving along Marylebone Road when he noticed Robertson staggering down the middle of the street at around 2am, forcing him to swerve.
A court heard how the ex-player, who represented Scotland at U21 level, then kicked out at the side of the cab as it passed him.
Mr Ahmed pulled into a nearby Shell garage to check if there was any damage to the vehicle, before Robertson followed him onto the forecourt.
Upon confronting the former left-back about striking his car, Robertson menacingly replied: “I will hit you next.”
He then squared up to his victim before headbutting him on the nose and pummeling further blows to his face.
Robertson then punched his friend as he tried to drag him off the driver, until the pal managed to restrain him.
He continued to shout abuse and threaten Mr Ahmed after the two-minute attack caught on CCTV, before running off in the direction of Baker Street Tube station.
Staff at the Shell garage alerted police who arrived quickly on the scene and spotted the “very drunk” Robertson nearby.
An officer approached him and said: “Hello sir, I need to have a chat with you,” before he again attempted to flee.
“He was chased but it didn’t last very long. He was found to be very drunk and struggled to walk, so fell over while running,” Prosecutor Ivan Clarke said.
“His hands were covered in blood, and there was also blood on his jacket and face.”
Mr Ahmed was taken to hospital with injuries to his nose, swelling, and a suspected fracture.
His injuries took three weeks to heal during which time he was “in considerable discomfort and it affected relations with his family”, Mr Clerk said.
The Uber driver lost out on earnings when he was unable to work due to the assault and has since suffered from anxiety, worsened by the fact his job requires him to regularly pick up members of the public at night.
Robertson, who enjoyed a 14-year career playing for Rotherham United, Crewe Alexandra, Northampton Town and Grimsby Town, was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on Friday.
‘PLAYED THE SYSTEM’
Robertson persevered with a not guilty plea for 18 months before he admitted to assault causing actual bodily harm on the day of his trial.
Tessa Shroff, defending, said he feels “absolute remorse” for his drunken outburst and described the incident as “out of character”.
The former left back is now a columnist for the Times and produces articles about different clubs outside the Premier League each week.
His last pundit piece was published six days before he admitted the assault, on the day his trial was due to start on November 29 of last year.
Judge David Jeremy seemed unconvinced of Robertson’s shame, instead suggesting he had strategically tried to “play the system”.
“You talk about ‘absolute remorse’. This is a man who had no problem in keeping his options open,” he said.
“He waited 18 months and then pleaded guilty on the day of trial. It is very difficult to accept any talk of remorse, let alone absolute.
“He in effect played the system until he knew that the last opportunity had come.”
Robertson was spared jail and slapped with a 10-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months.
He must also pay a fine of £3,000 and pay £2,000 in compensation to Mr Ahmed.
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