JUST DESSERTS
RACIST PASSENGER TRIED TO POUR BEER DOWN THROAT OF ASIAN CABBIE IN BURNLEY
A passenger who got into a row with an Asian taxi driver grabbed him from behind, covered his eyes and tried to pour beer down his throat as he was driving. According to the Lancashire Telegraph, Blackburn magistrates heard a female passenger tried to put a seatbelt around the driver’s neck during the inci-
dent in Padiham.
The driver eventually spotted a police van and pulled in front of it to raise the alarm. Brett Holder, 24,
from Clitheroe, was
convicted after a trial of racially aggra- vated assault of Zaman Tahir. He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 10 days Reha- bilitation Activity Requirement and 250 hours’ unpaid work. He was ordered to pay £100 compensa-
tion, £500 costs and £95 victim sur- charge.
Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said Mr Tahir was taking the defendant and a female between two addresses in Padiham. The fare was only two pounds but there was a dispute with the female over whether a £10 note had been returned. “The defendant got involved and leaned over from the back and put his hands over the driver’s eyes,” said Mr Robinson. “He then grabbed him by the neck and tried to pour beer down his throat.” The female tried to get a seat belt
around the driver’s neck and Holder was shouting racist abuse. Mark Williams, defending, said there was nothing he could say about the cir- cumstances because the court had found in favour of the victim’s version of events.
“My client doesn’t accept that version of events but he does accept the con- viction,” said Mr Williams. Mr Williams said the offence went back to September 2020 at which time Hold- er accepted he was “going off the rails.” “He was drinking too much and taking drugs but that has all changed because of the employment he has found,” said Mr Williams.
He said Holder was now living and working on a farm and has turned his life around since this incident over a year ago.
DRUNKEN NEWPORT PASSENGER WHO ROBBED CABBIE IS JAILED FOR 27 MONTHS
A drunken man who robbed a taxi driver of his takings after refusing to pay his fare has been jailed. The South Wales Argus reports that John Donaghey threatened to punch Aminur Rahman unless he handed over his money when he was dropping him off at his Newport house. The robbery took place during the early hours of the morning after the defendant had been drinking in the city at the home of a cousin in April 2020. Prosecutor Kathryn Lane said Donaghey told the police he had drank ten cans of dark fruit cider and two bottles of Budweiser beer there. He was asked by Mr Rahman not to drink alcohol in his cab during the journey home because he was afraid of losing his taxi licence. Newport Crown Court heard how Donaghey then refused to pay his
50
£7.50 fare and then robbed his victim after telling him to empty all his pockets. He took £29.20 in notes and coins and asked for more cash. Miss Lane said: “The defendant demanded more money but Mr Rah- man told him he didn’t have any as he had just started his shift. “He told him he was a father of four children and pleaded with him.” The prosecutor read out his victim impact statement in which he told the court: “I couldn’t work for about four months after the robbery because I
was so scared. “Although I have returned to work, I don’t feel safe as a taxi driver anymore.” Donaghey, 34, from Newport, admitted robbery, his guilty plea entered on the morning of his trial. The defendant had five previous convictions for ten offences, including burglary and public disorder. Recorder Greg Bull QC told Donaghey: “When Mr Rahman asked you to stop drinking, you became obstructive and you refused to do so and became agitated. He was extremely frightened at your behaviour and you threatened to punch him. “Taxi drivers must be protected and drunken clients who rob them must expect to lose their liberty.” Donaghey was jailed for 27 months and ordered to pay a £190 surcharge following his release from prison.
JANUARY 2022
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