YOKOHAMA, Japan — Prosecutors Thursday recommended an 18-month prison sentence for a USS Blue Ridge sailor accused of punching a taxi driver at Yokohama Station in September.

Calling the incident “dangerous and heinous,” prosecutor Kazuhiko Ishikawa asked the Yokohama District Court to hand down a “strict” punishment because the “defendant has not expressed remorse.”

Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Paul Booker, 23, is accused of punching Iwao Tabata in the face. The incident occurred at 6:20 a.m. Sept. 17, after Tabata chased Booker and other passengers to demand the 1,750-yen fare (about $15) they owed.

Tabata’s nose and dentures were broken.

Booker has denied punching Tabata. He testified he learned of the assault after leaving his friend, who was confronted by Tabata, to avoid getting in trouble.

Booker said he thought an unknown Japanese woman who shared the cab ride paid the taxi fare. The fare was later paid by another sailor.

Ishikawa said Booker’s testimony was contradictory, while Tabata’s was credible.

Even though Tabata only glanced at his assailant’s face during the incident, he was able to tell it was Booker because he had seen him several times before, Ishikawa said. He also said Tabata had no reason to make a false statement.

But defense attorney Kazunari Watanabe contended Tabata’s testimony was shaky.

“The victim was the only one stating Booker punched him,” he said. “He was considerably confused.”

Tabata picked Booker in a lineup two months after the incident, Watanabe said, and it is hard to believe he remembered the assailant’s face clearly.

Watanabe also said Tabata contradicted himself in testimony by telling the court he didn’t touch another sailor he confronted to demand payment, but later saying he tackled him.

The verdict is expected when the court next meets on the case on July 19.