Six months for cab passenger in race attack

William Locke was already under a suspended sentence for a previous incident against a doorman when he got into Khalif Hurre's taxi in Leeds City centre and asked to be driven to Scott Hall Road.

He was making comments on the journey which the driver ignored, but when they reached their destination and he was asked for the 5 fare Locke got out and walked round to the driver's open window.

Carmel Pearson, prosecuting, told Leeds Crown Court yesterday he thought he was going to be paid but Locke grabbed his nose and twisted it.

When Mr Hurre tried to drive away Locke punched him four or five times in the face, shouting racial abuse.

Officers who happened to be passing in a police car went to the driver's aid. He had a bleeding nose and a cut to his tongue.

Adrian Pollard, for Locke, said he appreciated his behaviour was entirely unacceptable.

When sober he was considered a hard-working family man but in drink he was "very much a Jekyll and Hyde character".

He was now addressing that problem and since the offence he had managed not to drink. Locke, 38 of Newton Lodge Drive, Leeds, was jailed for six months for racially aggravated assault with four months consecutive from the previously suspended sentence.

Recorder Carl Gumsley said: "Taxi drivers are entitled to protection late at night and in the early hours of the morning otherwise they might not provide a service for any of us."