Middleport pottery worker Joseph Dobson racially abused Magnum taxi driver - before brandishing a baseball batAN ELDERLY taxi driver was racially abused and threatened with a baseball bat by a boozed-up recovering alcoholic.
Mohammed Arbab, who works for Magnum Taxis, was left shaken after Joseph Dobson became furious at the cost of his journey and threatened to attack him.
The 76-year-old victim had picked up Dobson, a pottery worker, from Sneyd Green, before he became angry and aggressive.
Prosecuting at North Staffordshire Justice Centre, Steven Knowles, said: “Mr Arbab is 76 years old but still works as a taxi driver for Magnum.
“Mr Arbab said he was directed to Morton Street and told Joseph Dobson he needed to pay £4.50. Mr Dobson then called Mr Arbab a ‘black ******.’
“He went into his house and after a couple of moments he came out holding a large wooden baseball bat and came towards the taxi.
“Mr Arbab remained in the car and locked the door before contacting the base for the police.
“Mr Dobson returned to his address but he came out again with the bat in a threatening manner. Mr Arbab said he was frightened, but wanted to wait for the police.”
Magistrates were told 39-year-old Dobson, who works for Burleigh Pottery, had given up alcohol eight years ago, but had ‘fallen off the wagon’ on the day of the assault following an argument with his partner.
The father-of-five pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in a public place and racially aggravated harrassment.
Defending, Zoe Leese, said: “He reacted completely out of character and he is very remorseful for the incident that took place. He says he was disgusted by his actions. He is aware of the seriousness of the offence, especially due to the age of the taxi driver. He has no intention of appearing back before the court again and he says he has learned his lesson.”
Dobson, of Morton Street, Middleport, was handed a 12-month community order and ordered to carry out 200 hours in unpaid work. He must also pay £145 costs, and magistrates ordered the baseball bat to be destroyed.
Dave Currie, regional secretary of the National Private Hire Association, said many violent incidents involving taxi drivers go unreported.
He said: “This sort of thing still goes on. Private Hire drivers are very vulnerable when it comes to abuse of any sort – physical or verbal.
“They are streetwise and can often see it coming. They also make strenuous efforts to reduce the risk of problems but they are still abused and sometimes even killed.
“Drivers have no protection against this sort of thing and often don’t have the time to report what has happened. Incidents like this one are just the tip of the iceberg.”
In 1990, 25-year-old cabbie Steven Johnson, of Hanley, was killed by a mystery knifeman. Despite a huge police manhunt and repeated appeals for information, his killer has never been found.
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http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Middlepo ... z2m964NAse
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