Saturday, July 25, 2009, 06:30

Three drunks who carried out a frightening attack on a Lincolnshire taxi driver during a 60mph journey have been put behind bars by a judge.

Taxi driver Simon Coulson had blows rained on him from behind by his passengers and one of them tried to strangle him after he decided to turn his cab round because of their behaviour.

Catherine Chasemore, prosecuting, told Lincoln Crown Court that problems arose during the journey after passenger Richard Harrison, who booked the cab to travel from Lincoln to Navenby, asked if he could light up a cigarette.

Mr Coulson refused him permission but Harrison ignored him and lit up anyway.

Miss Chasemore said: "The taxi driver had noticed the men were intoxicated and full of bravado. Their behaviour was getting more rowdy as the journey progressed.

"When Harrison lit the cigarette Mr Coulson stopped the vehicle and told the men to get out.

"One of the males became aggressive so Mr Coulson began to drive back to Lincoln to get help.

"All the defendants were shouting and swearing. He felt hard blows to the back of his head.

"One of the defendants grabbed the steering wheel causing the taxi to swerve all across the road at 60 mph.

"Mr Coulson was partially strangled and there were a number of further blows to the back of his head."

Miss Chasemore said the cabbie stopped his vehicle and got out.

The men fled after kicking the taxi causing over £2,500 worth of damage.

Harrison (21) of Overton Lane, Navenby, Hunt (22) of Chapel Lane, Navenby, and Biddles (22) of Blacksmith Lane, Boothby Graffoe, each admitted affray and damaging property as a result of the incident on 17 October 2008. They were each jailed for 14 months.

Judge John Machin told them "This was most outrageous behaviour. There is no doubt that for what you did all of you must go immediately to custody."