Jail threat to racist thug

A MAN who hit an Asian taxi driver in the face has been spared an immediate prison sentence at Manchester magistrates’ court.

Nathan Lear (19) screamed racial abuse at Mohammed Zahir and damaged his taxi, said Jennifer Baines, prosecuting. He was given a three-month prison sentence suspended for two years and ordered to pay the victim £850. The chairman of the bench told him “What you did crosses the custody threshold; you are lucky not to be going straight to prison”.

Lear, of Brierley Avenue, Failsworth, was drunk when he asked to be taken to Salford. On arrival he demanded to be taken back home - and refused to leave the taxi.

Mr Zahir drove to the police station and on the way Lear grabbed the wheel, forcing the car on to the pavement. Lear punched his victim twice in the face and damaged his radio equipment and the dashboard.

Lear admitted charges of racially-aggravated assault and damage.



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