A MAN who had been on a family night out ended up shouting racist abuse at the taxi driver who took them home.

Blackburn magistrates heard Chris Smith made reference to Islamic State and the Taliban as he abused the taxi driver as a result of a row over the temperature in the taxi.

Smith, 43, of George Street, Rishton, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated threatening behaviour towards Imran Iqbal. He was fined £400 and ordered to pay £100 compensation, £85 costs and £40 victim surcharge.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said the driver had picked Smith, his wife and two children up in Great Harwood. As they got close to Rishton Smith adjusted the heater because he was too warm and Mr Iqbal told him he had actually turned it up.

"He took that the wrong way and as he got out of the car Smith was swearing at the driver using racist language," said Mr Robinson. "The defendant stood at the back of the car, preventing Mr Iqbal from leaving and he was worried he was going to get hurt. He got out of the car and tried to reason with the defendant but was met with more abuse."

Richard Prew, defending, said Smith had been to a restaurant in Great Harwood with his partner and their children and on the way home felt unwell.

"The taxi driver had the heating on high and refused to turn it down when my client asked him to," said Mr Prew. "When he got out of the vehicle he felt aggrieved but doesn't condone his behaviour on the night."