http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/man-jailed-spraying-taxi-driver-13686429A man has been jailed for four years after a “cowardly” acid attack on a taxi driver in Newcastle city centre .
A 47-year-old taxi driver was parked up on Grey Street on July 26 when he was sprayed in the face with a noxious substance which burnt his eyes.
The attack happened outside of Fitzgerald’s wine bar at around 10.50pm.
A court heard Alan Thomas, 24, of Bentinck Terrace, Elswick , tried to steal an ashtray from a table outside the bar when the taxi driver told him to put it back.
Thomas retaliated by taking a bottle out of his bag and spraying the taxi driver in the face with a noxious substance. The driver felt a burning sensation in his eyes and was aware of a chemical smell and he shouted for help.
Passers-by and staff from a nearby restaurant came to his aid and gave him water to wash his face and he received hospital treatment. Fortunately he has not suffered lasting damage.
Police were called and Thomas was arrested a short time later. Officers recovered the bottle used by Thomas and a forensic examination identified the contents as ammonia.
Thomas pleaded guilty to attempted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and was handed a four-year one-month prison sentence at Newcastle Crown Court this week.
Chief Inspector Paul Knox, of Northumbria Police, said: “This was a cowardly attack on a taxi driver and Thomas clearly deserves this prison sentence. The court has shown that those who use such weapons should be put behind bars, to protect the public from further harm.”
Ch Insp Knox warned against the increasing trend of chemical attacks.
He said: “I hope this sentence sends a clear message that those who may think about using such an offensive weapon that they will pay for the consequences of their actions by spending time in jail.”
Northumbria Police recorded 32 acid attacks in 2016 and since 2015 there have been 30 people charged with offences concerning attacks using noxious substances being used in assaults, burglaries or robberies.
had that been Ven no doubt the headline would have been taxi driver on assault charge 
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