Thug attacked Derby taxi driver with two other men during drop offhttps://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/l ... er-4676493Kevin Boot has 47 previous convictionsA boozing thug and two other people assaulted a Derby taxi driver during a drop-off in Allenton, which left him with head injuries and a chipped tooth.
Muhammad Khan of Albatross Cars had just pulled over in the area of Harvey Road when one of the passengers said he wasn't going to pay and went on to pull the driver out of the car.
Derby Crown Court heard how the defendant and another man then got out the taxi and all three of them began attacking the 30-year-old driver.
Two of the men involved in the attack are yet to be identified, but Kevin Boot, 40, with 47 convictions for 86 offences to his name, appeared at Derby Crown Court to be sentenced, after pleading guilty to assault.
The court heard the incident took place on October 26, last year.
Gregor Purcell, prosecuting, said: "A call was made for a pick up at 11.20pm to pick up three males, including this defendant and one female from an address in Mickleover.
"The defendant got in the front of the taxi and the others into the rear. They reached the Harvey Road area and discussions took place on which address to get dropped off at.
"The defendant was asleep (in the front) at this point. The males in the rear started to get out the vehicle and one said he was not paying. The female walked away."
The court heard one of the men in the back, who has not been identified, pulled the taxi driver from the front of the vehicle. The other two men, including Boot, got out and they confronted the driver.
The driver was punched before he was pushed to the floor. He was punched and kicked while on the floor.
The court heard Mr Khan had items taken from him including a bag containing £100, a mobile phone and the taxi's personal digital assistant device. It is not known who took the items.
The court heard all three men, including the defendant, then ran off. Mr Purcell said Mr Khan flagged down a driver who assisted him and called the police.
Mr Purcell said: "Blood seen on the trousers of the defendant was found to be blood from Mr Khan. The defendant gave no comment interview to police."
A victim personal statement was read out in court written by Mr Khan.
It said he was shocked, that he was simply trying to earn a living working hard. He said in excess of £600 was lost to him, all for what was described as a fare that was only £10.80.
Nicola Hunter, mitigating, told the court Boot was in full-time employment and was sorry for his actions.
She said: "He has accepted responsibility for his wrongdoing and that he is sorry for what he did to the man on the night in question.
"He is able to pay compensation to Mr Khan for the harm he has caused to him. At the time of the offence he was in drink and was also suffering with his mental health. He has been diagnosed with a personality disorder.
"He does fully accept for what he did and he is sorry for what he did. He is working full time as a forklift truck driver. He does that five-days-a-week. He is in a stable relationship."
Boot, of Cockayne Street South, Allenton, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Judge Robert Egbuna, who presided over the case, handed Boot an 18-month sentence which was suspended for two years, 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days and ordered him to pay £500 compensation to Mr Khan.
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