Cabbie hit and racially abused by drunken pairTwo drunken customers pulled a turban off a Sikh taxi driver and slapped him in the face, a court heard.
Darryl Driver (22) and Cody Blankley (20) also subjected the man to racial abuse.
When they got into the cab with three female friends in Charles Street, in the city centre, at 2.45am on June 19 last year, they were both smoking.
They were asked to stop but then hurled racist insults at the driver and were rowdy.
Ben Gow, prosecuting, said the aggressive conduct of the two men and the racial abuse caused the driver such concern he decided to drive to the nearest police station, at Mansfield House.
Leicester Crown Court was told the victim in his panic drove erratically and went through red traffic lights.
The women in turn became frightened and one of them called the police, while the taxi driver also called the police.
During the journey, Blankley began grappling with the driver, pulling off his turban, which went out of the window.
At one stage when the taxi was stationary, Blankley and one of the women climbed out of the window.
When the cab arrived at the police station, Driver got out and slapped the victim across the face and threatened to kill him.
Mr Gow said the victim was left insulted and distressed.
Driver, of Upper Temple Walk, Beaumont Leys, Leicester, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated harassment.
He and Blankley, of Astill Drive, Mowmacre Hill, in the city, both admitted common assault upon the victim.
Driver was sentenced to 51 weeks in jail, suspended for two years, with supervision, and ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work.
He will also have to attend a control of violent, angry and impulsive drinkers programme.
Blankley received a 12-month community order with 180 hours of unpaid work.
Sentencing, Judge Lynn Tayton QC said: "It was appalling behaviour.
"The victim was very deeply affected and one can understand why.
"He was carrying out a public service and taxi drivers are entitled to be protected.
"I'm told you're very remorseful."
Judge Tayton said the women made statements saying they were scared because they did not know where the taxi was taking them.
She said: "I accept that there are two sides, to an extent, of this story, although the taxi driver said he made it clear (what was happening)."
In mitigation, the court heard both defendants were normally responsible hard-working men, who had acted out of character.
Blankley accepted the victim was offended at having his turban knocked off, but said this was not intentional and he had apologised when it happened.
Others in the cab remonstrated with Blankley at the time.
Steven Newcombe, for Driver, said: "We enjoy in Leicester a successful multicultural relationship and this type of conduct won't be tolerated by the courts, and he knows that."
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