🚖 Late-night chaos in Newport! A shocking incident unfolded when taxi driver Zahir Abbas was threatened and subjected to an awful racist rant by a passenger, Jonathan Carver. It started when Abbas kindly agreed to a £20 fare, heading to a cashpoint because Carver only had £1 on him. But things took a nasty turn at the ATM. 🎥
Captured on CCTV, Carver, fuelled by alcohol and drugs, lost it. He threatened Abbas with a glass bottle, pushed him, threw his phone into the road, and damaged the taxi’s windscreen wipers and side mirror—causing £213 worth of destruction. 😡
The aggression didn’t stop there. Carver, already with a lengthy rap sheet, hurled vile racial slurs at both Abbas and police upon their arrival. Despite his long history of offences, remorse was expressed by Carver in court, where he heard Abbas’s statement of being shaken but determined not to let this disgusting behaviour affect him. 💪
In court, Carver’s defence spoke of his struggles with personal issues, including turning to substances after a tragic incident involving a colleague. Nevertheless, Judge Eugene Egan wasn’t having any of it, calling the incident “unjustifiably boorish” and sentencing Carver to 31 weeks, though he was released due to time already spent on remand. 🚔
Let’s remember the risks and disrespect taxi drivers face, often working unsociable hours. We all have the right to feel safe, regardless of our work environment. 🚖🛡️ #StandAgainstHate #RespectEveryone #TaxiDriverSafety