Scots thugs who stole taxi from cab driver in racist attack jailed for 38 months
TWO MEN who stole a taxi from a cab driver in a racist attack have been jailed for 38 months.
Andrew Naismith, 23, and Gregor Eckert, 26, assaulted driver Muhammad Rashid, 40, in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, last August.
Amira Nadeem, 22 - a Scots contestant on Channel 4’s Naked Attraction - had been cleared of taking the Peugeot Horizon involved.
Naismith and Eckert admitted assaulting Mr Rashid to his injury which was racially aggravated.
Naismith also pled guilty to stealing the taxi, driving without insurance or a licence as well as a breach of bail.
Eckert admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner which was racially aggravated.
Naismith was sentenced to 12 months while Eckert received 26 months and a one year driving ban by Sheriff Jospeh Platt.
Eckert will also be under supervision for six months upon his release from prison.
An earlier hearing was told the pair were picked up in a private hire car in the city’s Townhead before 2am.
While en-route to Seafield Drive, Rutherglen, Eckert became racially abusive to Mr Rashid after he told the passengers to not drink in his car.
The driver discovered his back seat was wet after the journey had ended and asked for a cleaning payment.
Prosecutor John Bedford said: “Naismith assaulted him by kicking and punching his head and body numerous times.
“This caused him to fall and, when on the ground, he repeatedly punched and kicked him on the head and body.”
Eckert then got out the taxi and attacked Mr Rashid in a similar manner.
Concerned neighbours heard Mr Rashid’s cries for help and a 999 call was made.
Mr Bedford said: “Residents saw Naismith enter the taxi while the keys were left in the ignition.
“He drove without having permission to, no insurance or licence.”
Naismith later crashed into a pharmacy on Stonelaw Road causing damage to the vehicle and the shutters.
The pair were traced and arrested while Mr Rashid was taken to hospital for treatment to bruises to his body and face.
Mr Rashid said in a statement that he has changed his work pattern due to the incident.
He added: "The crime affected me a lot, I don't feel safe anymore, I feel fearful most of the time."
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