Drunken passenger beat taxi driver and stole cabA TAXI driver was left terrified after a drunken passenger punched him and tried to "throttle" him during a frightening confrontation inside his car.
He drove off in the victim's vehicle after the driver fled in fear for his safety – and he stole £80 to £100 from his takings box, a court heard.
Stewart Tomlinson, 40, of Hainton Avenue, Grimsby, admitted theft and assault on January 11.
Carl Fitch, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court that taxi driver Emran Begum, 31, picked up Tomlinson and others at 3.15am.
Another passenger was dropped off in Crosscoates Road, Grimsby, and Tomlinson became argumentative about the fare while he was in the back of the taxi.
He was telling Mr Begum how fast he should be driving and when he should be stopping.
Tomlinson told the driver to go to a cul-de-sac and to turn the engine off.
"From behind, he began punching him to the head," said Mr Fitch.
"He reached over and grabbed hold of Mr Begum's hand and pulled it from behind around his throat in an effort to throttle him."
The driver was able to release his grip, open the taxi door and run away.
"He was very frightened," said Mr Fitch.
The car was later found to have gone from where it was left in Remillo Avenue but was found in Patrick Street. About £80 to £100 cash from the takings tin was missing.
Police made inquiries and Tomlinson was found in bed, half-dressed and very drunk.
Richard Hackfath, mitigating, said Tomlinson "got himself into a state" and claimed he could not remember the incident.
He was appalled at his behaviour after "binge drinking" and was genuinely sorry.
"He feels sorry for Mr Begum," said Mr Hackfath
Recorder Timothy Roberts QC told Tomlinson: "You abused him. You beat him. You took his car from him. You took items out of his car.
"You frightened and terrified him so that he left his car behind. That was disgraceful behaviour."
Tomlinson, a roofer who had convictions for 68 offences, was given a six-month suspended prison sentence, 100 hours' unpaid work and a six-month curfew on Saturdays and Sundays.
He was ordered to pay £500 compensation.
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http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/Drunk ... z3ng7SzeU4
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