Prison warning over taxi ordeal

A FAILSWORTH man was warned by Manchester magistrates he could be jailed for punching and racially abusing an Asian taxi driver.

Nathan Lear (19) was drunk when he made a tea-time call asking to go to an address in Salford.

On getting there he changed his mind and refused to leave the taxi, said Jennifer Baines, prosecuting.

Driver Mohammad Zahir drove to the police station and on the way Lear grabbed the wheel causing him to mount the pavement.

Afterwards Lear shouted obscene racist remarks, twice hit Mr Zahir in the mouth and caused nearly £1,000 worth of damage to his radio equipment and dashboard.

Lear, of Brierley Avenue, admitted charges of racially-aggravated assault and damage. He was bailed until March 27. The court was told he had previous convictions for similar offences in 2010.