A TAXI driver was terrorised by a drunken lout who hurled a torrent of racial abuse and challenged him to fight in a fare dispute, a court heard.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Christopher Sparks, 30, also kicked the victim's wing mirror off, all while subject to a suspended jail term.

Sparks, of Mowgrain View, Bacup, had admitted racially aggravated criminal damage and racially aggravated causing fear of violence.

MORE TOP STORIES:

He received eight months in prison, suspended for two years, with a three month curfew, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, between 8pm and 6am. He must pay £250 compensation.

Prosecutor Stephen Parker said at 2.40am, last December 15, the victim picked the defendant and three others up from the Flowers pub in Bacup. Sparks sat in the front. A £4.50 fare was agreed and on the journey, the defendant was aggressive.

When the taxi reached its destination, he said he would have to get out to go into a house for the money. The driver was concerned he wasn't going to get paid and suggested some of the rear passengers remain until he got his fare. Sparks started racially abusing the victim and shouted: "You can't keep us here."

Mr Parker said Sparks was telling the driver to get out as he wanted a fight.

His friends in the back of the taxi were trying to calm him down. But, he carried on being offensive and when the victim radioed his base for help, it seemed to inflame the defendant, who got out and kicked the wing mirror off. The cabbie radioed his base again and also the police.

All four passengers got out and the driver began to follow them, but retreated in fear as Sparks was intent on having a fight. Police arrived and could hear shouting from a nearby street. An officer walked there and saw the defendant hurling racist comments. He ran off and was caught a short distance away. Sparks had 38 previous offences.

Clare Thomas, for Sparks, said he was now in full-time employment.

Recorder Stephen Bedford told Sparks: "It must have been quite a terrifying experience for the taxi driver, in his own in the car."