After an issue over the fare, Charles Miller “lost his temper” and caused £341 damage to a taxi.
Miller, 20, of Torwoodlee Road, Galashiels, admitted recklessly damaging a taxi at Church Square, Galashiels, on April 28.
Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said the taxi had collected the accused and others.
“There was an issue over the fare and the accused seems to have lost his temper and struck the window of the taxi and also the bonnet, causing knuckle-shaped dents,” he explained.
Defence solicitor Ross Dow said Miller was annoyed when the other two people in the taxi had refused to pay their share.
“The taxi driver was argumentative over the fact that only £5 of the £8 fare had been paid,” said Mr Dow.
“For what it is worth, he says that it wouldn’t have happened if the taxi driver had not shouted at him,” added Mr Dow.
He said Miller, a first offender, had been under the influence of alcohol at the time, and made “a gross error of judgement”.
Sheriff Kevin Drummond told Miller: “This was a man going about his business, not getting paid, and then being subjected to this.”
Miller was fined £100 and ordered to pay £341 compensation for the damage he caused.