Drunk passenger beat up Haslingden taxi driverA HASLINGDEN taxi diver was left temporarily blinded, bleeding heavily and with loose teeth after a frenzied attack by a passenger in a fare dispute.
Burnley Magistrates’ Court was told how drunken Gareth Feeney, 34, repeatedly punched terrified Arshad Mahmood after the victim asked for payment up-front for a long journey.
Mr Mahmood, who had tried to get help by putting on his hazard warning lights during the violence, hung on to his assailant so he couldn’t make off and Feeney was arrested.
The defendant, who has a record for violence, admitted assault by beating at Haslingden, on March 10. Feeney, of Edgemoor Close, Shawforth, was locked up for 10 weeks.
Prosecutor Andrew Robinson told the hearing the defendant got into the cab at about 10pm, outside a pub, sat in the front passenger seat and said he wanted to go to Rochdale.
It was a long journey and because of that the victim wanted some payment in advance, but Feeney couldn’t provide it.
The defendant refused to get out and Mr Mahmood tried to open the door and reached across. Feeney pushed his arm away and the victim got scared and put his hazard lights on to try to attract passing drivers.
Another taxi pulled up and as Mr Mahmood turned his head, the defendant punched him four or five times in the face.
Mr Robinson said the victim’s nose started to bleed, he was temporarily blinded, had loose teeth and his face was swollen.
Passing sentence, District Judge Sam Gozee told the defendant: “This was an unprovoked assault on a taxi driver who was carrying out his public duties.
“You were in a drunken state, you misunderstood and you responded with unacceptable violence.”
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