Taxi Driver Online

March 6, 2008 Thursday

Passenger tried to gouge taxi driver's eyes out

The Northern Echo

A PASSENGER who gouged a taxi driver's eyes during a drunken attack in his cab has been jailed for 12 months.

Anthony Gilby, 36, grabbed cabbie Brian Raine around the neck before repeatedly punching him during the terrifying assault on July 29 last year.

Mr Raine managed to get Gilby out of his car and drive away from the scene despite having difficulty seeing because his eyes had been gouged. He has since made a full physical recovery but had been left with two black eyes.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how trouble flared when Gilby was put into the taxi by his brother, who paid Mr Raine and asked him to drive his drunken passenger home.

Gilby turned violent after asking Mr Raine to stop before his destination and started being sick on the pavement. It was as Mr Raine started to pull away Gilby jumped back into the car and launched the attack.

Prosecutor Bob Spragg told the court: "He jumped back in the car, climbed into the front seat and put his arm around Mr Raine's neck. "Mr Raine describes him shouting like a mad man and a struggle ensued.

"Mr Raine managed to pin him to the back seats while he was using his foot to sound the horn for help. "THe defendant gouged his eyes and punched him several times in the face. "Mr Raine managed to push him out and drive off up the street."

Gilby, of Leonard Street, SUnderland, who has a string of previous convictions for violence, admitted assault causing bodily harm.

Defence barrister Shaun Routledge said Gilby had been drinking heavily that night and as a result remembers nothing about the incident, though he accepts every word of what Mr Raine said happened. Mr Routledge said the attack was not planned.

Judge David Hodson jailed Gilby for 12 months.

The judge said; "Taxi drivers are particularly vulnerable members of the commuity. "THey are taking people at late hours, people who, like you were, are well effected by drink.

"They are entitled to the protection of the courts when the courts are in the position to protect them."
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