Taxi driver beaten unconscious

2:14pm Tuesday 26th June 2007

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A TAXI driver was beaten unconscious and left covered with blood after ordering an unruly passenger out of his cab, a court has heard.

Mohammed Hayat told David Bailey, 21, to get out of his cab after he had pulled on the handbrake of the vehicle and was disruptive.

Bailey then attacked Mr Hayat, elbowing him and punching him in the face before his friends, who were also in the cab, joined in.

Mr Hayat suffered a 4cm long cut to his forehead and swollen nose in the attack and was unable to visit his sick month in Pakistan, Burnley magistrates heard.

Bailey, of Coalclough Lane, Burnley, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm.

He was given a 12 month community order. The bench, who told him the offence was "very, very serious", ordered him to pay £100 compensation and £50 costs.

Bill Maude, prosecuting, told the court Mr Hayat, who was based in Burnley, picked up five customers on Reed Street at about 11.10pm.

The defendant sat in the front passenger seat and was clearly the worse for drink, persistently knocking the taxi out of gear and interfering with the victim's radio.

Bailey then pulled on the handbrake of the vehicle, tore a sticker off the dashboard and threw some cards into the back of the cab.

Mr Maude said Mr Hayat stopped, told the group he did not want to take them any further because of the defendant's behaviour and told them to get out.

As Bailey left the taxi, he elbowed the driver and Mr Hayat walked around the front of the vehicle to try and close the door.

Bailey was standing in the way and punched Mr Hayat around the left eye, causing him to fall backwards. Mr Hayat was in pain but managed to get back to his feet and tried to defend himself. Two of the other passengers then joined in and the victim was again floored and thought he was briefly knocked unconscious.

Mr Maude said Mr Hayat alerted the police and another driver took him to hospital.

Bailey was arrested and charged and when questioned agreed he had been present but claimed he had been defending himself. He had 14 previous convictions.

Nick Cassidy, defending, said Bailey had been in high spirits in the taxi and there may have been some element of bravado. He had been to the pub with friends and accepted he had been drinking.

The defendant, who had not had a full recollection of events, apologised for his conduct.