Taxi Driver Online

Police officer punched and strangled taxi driver

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c992v2epl84o

A police officer strangled a taxi driver while he was behind the wheel before punching him in the head six times in an unprovoked attack, a court heard.

Sgt Edward Howard, who works for West Yorkshire Police in the Bradford area, pleaded guilty to intentional strangulation and assault when he appeared at Leeds Magistrates' Court earlier.

The court was told Howard had been out drinking with colleagues prior to the attack in Cleackheaton on 10 November 2025 and had been sent home in a taxi for being too drunk.

He was spared jail for the "brutal" attack, and instead given a 12-month community order with 200 hours of unpaid work and made to pay the driver £400 in compensation.

The court heard the taxi driver had been travelling "at some speed" when Howard leant forward from the back seat and grabbed him by the neck with both hands and squeezed them.

CCTV footage then showed him punching the man before getting out of the car, which had just left the motorway, when it came to a stop.

The driver, who was unharmed, then drove off. He later said he thought Howard "was going to kill him".

District Judge Dave Kitson said Howard's "bizarre" behaviour could have caused the car to crash, "with catastrophic results for all concerned".

Moments before he lurched forward, he could be seen rubbing his hands together, seemingly limbering up his arms and slapping himself in the face.

'Extreme behaviour'

Defending Howard, Tom Harris said his client had admitted his actions were "terrible and shocking".

There was a "very high" chance he would lose his job as a result, Harris added.

He cited numerous character references in support of Howard but admitted it was a "brutal attack" as part of a "bizarre episode".

The defendant was still unable to recall the assault, or anything about the circumstances, he added.

It was "very much" a one-off incident, Harris told the court.

An inspector who had worked with Howard said he had "proved himself to be extremely diligent, professional and respected" during his six years in policing.

He also held a "victim-focused mentality", they added.

Harris said his client had given himself up when he learned of his wrongdoing.

Sentencing, Judge Kitson told Howard: "I don't know what came over you and I am sure you don't either.

"It really was extreme behaviour."

The defendant was also ordered to pay a total of £199 in costs.

Det Ch Supt Tanya Wilkins from West Yorkshire Police said: "Sgt Howard has taken responsibility for his actions, and this behaviour falls well below the standards we expect.

"It is vital we uphold the highest standards and our officers lead by example on and off duty.

"Now that the case has concluded, misconduct proceedings will be considered."

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IDFIMH

Chance of this thug being convicted without CCTV is a big fat ZERO.

Good.

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IDFIMH

As per usual, it would be interesting to know precisely what provoked the attack, if anything.

But nothing in the piece to evidence what provoked him.

Of course, there may have been nothing at all, and there's nothing in the piece to suggest the driver knew what provoked him either.

It's because he can't control himself when he is pi**ed up, which is why his mates/colleagues couldn't get rid of him any faster.

_________________
IDFIMH

Jumped before he was pushed


Police officer resigns after attacking taxi driver

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62x3r30nxgo

An ex-police officer who punched and strangled a taxi driver in an unprovoked attack would have been sacked had he not already resigned, a misconduct hearing has concluded.

Edward Howard, formerly a sergeant with West Yorkshire Police in the Bradford area, pleaded guilty to intentional strangulation and assault at Leeds Magistrates' Court on 9 June.

The 28-year-old, from Shelf, near Halifax, was given a 12-month community order with 200 hours of unpaid work and made to pay the driver £400 in compensation.

Det Supt Natalie Dawson from West Yorkshire Police's professional standards directorate said Howard's actions "fell way short of the standards we expect as a police service".

The misconduct hearing, which was held at West Yorkshire Police's headquarters in Wakefield on 30 July, was told the taxi driver "genuinely feared for his life and has been left feeling very scared as a result".

Howard, who was still employed by the force when he was convicted, had been on a night out with colleagues but was sent home for being too drunk, his trial previously heard.

The driver had just pulled off the motorway near Cleckheaton when the former officer leant forward from the back seat and grabbed him by the neck with both hands and squeezed them.

He then punched the man six times and verbally abused him before getting out of the car when it came to a stop.

'Out of character'

Debbie Tedds, who chaired the misconduct hearing, said Howard's behaviour was "plainly sufficiently serious misconduct as to justify dismissal".

Howard later reported the incident himself and was "genuinely remorseful", according to Tedds.

"[He] has accepted responsibility by resigning from the force," she said.

The hearing was told Howard had been an "effective and highly regarded officer who had contributed to policing across West Yorkshire".

"This is an officer who is generally kind, caring and supportive, and an effective officer and this incident was wholly out of character for him," said Tedds.

Tedds said Howard would have lost his job had he not already resigned, adding: "The former officer's misconduct in this case is simply too serious to permit a lesser sanction.

"Any lesser sanction than dismissal would for that reason have undermined public confidence in policing."

Dawson said Howard would be added to the College of Policing's Barred List, preventing him from working for the police in future.

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And, for what it's worth, this was the original West Yorkshire Police news release issued a couple of months ago after his conviction.

And, as often characterises these things, neither a peep about the context generally, nor the t-word in particular


Officer sentenced for off-duty assault

https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/new ... ty-assault

Tuesday 9 June 2026

A West Yorkshire Police Officer has admitted to an off-duty assault in Court.

Sergeant Edward Howard, who is based at Bradford District, appeared at Leeds Magistrates’ Court this morning and admitted assault and intentional strangulation.

This relates to an assault whilst off-duty on 10 November 2025 in Kirklees.

He was sentenced in Court to a 12 month community order, 200 hours of unpaid work, £400 compensation, £114 surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.

Detective Chief Superintendent Tanya Wilkins Head of the Professional Standards Directorate said:

“Sgt Howard has taken responsibility for his actions, and this behaviour falls well below the standards we expect.

“It is vital we uphold the highest standards and our officers lead by example on and off duty.

“Now that the case has concluded, misconduct proceedings will be considered.”