Racist passenger tried to pour beer down throat of Asian taxi driver
https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/n ... xi-driver/
Image: Lancashire Telegraph
A PASSENGER who got into a row with an Asian taxi driver grabbed him from behind, covered his eyes and tried to pour beer down his throat as he was driving.
Blackburn magistrates heard a female passenger tried to put a seatbelt around the driver's neck during the incident in Padiham.
The driver eventually spotted a police van and pulled in front of it to raise the alarm.
Brett Holder, 24, of Withgill Fold, Clitheroe, was convicted after a trial of racially aggravated assault of Zaman Tahir. He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 10 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and 250 hours unpaid work. He was ordered to pay £100 compensation, £500 costs and £95 victim surcharge.
Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said Mr Tahir was taking the defendant and a female between two addresses in Padiham. The fare was only two pounds but there was a dispute with the female over whether a £10 note had been returned.
"The defendant got involved and leaned over from the back and put his hands over the driver's eyes," said Mr Robinson.
"He then grabbed him by the neck and tried to pour beer down his throat."
The female tried to get a seat belt around the driver's neck and Holder was shouting racist abuse.
Mark Williams, defending, said there was nothing he could say about the circumstances because the incident because the court had found in favour of the victim's version of events.
"My client doesn't accept that version of events but he does accept the conviction," said Mr Williams.
Mr Williams said the offence went back to September 2020 at which time Holder accepted he was "going off the rails."
"He was drinking too much and taking drugs but that has all changed because of the employment he has found," said Mr Williams.
He said Holder was now living and working on a farm.
"He loves his job, works long hours and that has assisted him significantly in changing his lifestyle," said Mr Williams.
"He really has turned his life around since this incident over a year ago."
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