A former Royal Marine soldier who was fired by Sir Alan Sugar on the Apprentice has pleaded guilty to punching a taxi driver while drunk . Chris Farrell was thrown out of the taxi on November 22 after calling the driver a p**** , Wirral Magistrates Court heard today . The 31-year-old who appeared on the sixth series of the TV show in 2010 was on his way home with his partner after drinking a bottle of wine and a few beers . Apprentice : Former Apprentice star Chris Farrell ( pictured in 2010 ) has pleaded guilty to punching a taxi driver while drunk - but claimed the 'unpleasant ' man was aggressive towards him and his partner . Altercation : The 31-year-old ex-Royal Marine ( circled ) - who featured on the sixth series of the hit TV show - was thrown out of the taxi after calling the driver a ' p**** ' The taxi driver said he had been assaulted by a male and female according to prosecutor Alan Currums . He said : 'As he [ taxi driver ] approached the female he says he was punched in the face by the defendant . 'He said he was called ' a p**** ' . The taxi driver stopped the vehicle on the hard shoulder to call police . ' 'The defendant had drunk a bottle of wine and a few beers but would n't say he was intoxicated . He said he was angry and upset with the driver . ' Chair of the bench Eileen Ashton fined him £400 to be paid within 28 days . He was also ordered to pay £150 compensation to the taxi driver and a court fee of £125 . The man who served in the Royal Marines for 10 years before becoming a businessman has previous convictions of drink driving , fraud and 'carrying an offensive weapon ' . In February 2009 , he pleaded guilty to possessing an extendable baton and knuckle-duster which was found in his Merceds car . Police were called to his home following allegations he hit ex-wife Clair and wounded her - drawing blood . TV star : Farrell appeared on the sixth series of the Apprentice and was fired by Sir Alan Sugar ( centre ) in week eight . And after completing filming for The Apprentice in 2010 , he was reportedly hiding in Spain after his former boss revealed she had fired him due to claims of fraud . He was working on commission basis for Mortgages4Plymouth when Tricia Kennedy axed him . During his appearance in The Apprentice , Farrell said he was a sniper and he took 'that killer instinct across into business ' . Gerry Pachter who was defending Farrell said : 'Mr Farrell regrets his behaviour that night . He is very remorseful but felt the taxi driver had been particularly unpleasant . 'He had been drinking during the course of the evening . Mr Farrell thought the taxi driver had been aggressive towards him and his partner . 'He recognises that he should 've turned a blind eye . The taxi driver pulled up and kicked them out of the taxi - this is what got to them . It was dark and in an unsafe area . ' He added : 'The taxi driver was n't badly injured and there was no hospitalisation . ' Mr Pachter said Mr Farrell works in a 'very important high profile unit ' as a business manager at Port2Port Maritime Security in Salford . Port2Port provides ships with armed security to fight pirates , using ex-Royal Marines and Army commandos . Mr Pachter requested Mr Farrell be given a fine instead of a community order because it would be 'very difficult ' for him due to his work commitments .
FarrellChris Farrell was fired in eighth week of The Apprentice show aired in 2010 . He pleaded guilty to punching taxi driver after bottle of wine and few beers . The ex-Royal Marine was thrown out of the taxi after calling driver a ' p**** ' Chris Farrell claimed 'unpleasant ' driver was aggressive to him and his partner .