A taxi driver was left fearing for his life after a passenger launched a racist attack and repeatedly punched him in the head during a late-night journey in County Durham.
Jonathan Olley, 38, had been picked up in Durham City on 8 December last year and asked to be driven to West Cornforth. But the journey quickly turned violent after he became increasingly agitated when he was unable to locate the address.
The driver, concerned by Olley’s level of intoxication, had already asked for £20 upfront before setting off. Moments later, the situation escalated.
Olley began hurling racial abuse at the driver before raining punches on his head and threatening to kill his family.
The victim sustained injuries to his head and jaw and later described the ordeal as “terrifying”.
In a victim impact statement, he said he feared the attacker would continue the assault and refused to pick up any intoxicated passengers afterwards.
He said: “During the incident I felt very scared and was worried that he would not leave the vehicle and continue to assault me.
“After the male exited the taxi I continued to work for approximately an hour and a half, but during this time I was still scared and did not pick up anyone who was drunk.
“I then ended my shift early as I did not feel like I wanted to work anymore due to the assault and fear.”
Olley, of Grisedale Gardens in Gateshead, was arrested and charged with racially aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Teesside Crown Court heard he admitted the offence, which was committed while he was already serving a suspended sentence.
He was jailed for 80 weeks on Monday, 23 March.
PC Bolden, of Durham Constabulary, condemned the attack, describing Olley’s actions as “despicable”.
He said the driver had been left isolated, unable to call for help, and deeply shaken by the ordeal.
Police reiterated that hate crime would not be tolerated and warned that offenders would face the full force of the law.
