A man from Oldham has been jailed for seriously assaulting a taxi driver in Warrington.
Dmiko Berkley from Lord Street in Oldham appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on 7 April where he pleaded guilty to section 18 wounding without intent and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place (a glass bottle).
The 27-year-old was jailed for 20 months.
On 16 February this year Berkley had booked a taxi from an address in Warrington.
Part way through the journey Berkley wanted the driver to divert the route but the driver explained he couldn’t unless it was done via the Uber App.
Berkley then said he was going to be sick. The victim stopped the car on Statham Avenue and looked behind to see Berkley with his head between his legs in the back seat looking like he was being sick.
He got out and opened the back door of the taxi and Berkley hit him over the head with a glass bottle causing cuts to his head.
Berkley than ran into the housing estate leaving the taxi driver injured. The driver got in his car covered in blood and rang police in a distressed state as he tried to leave the area.
He was advised to stay put and officers located him on Poplars Avenue.
Officers arrested Berkley at his address in Oldham on suspicion of assault and possession of an offensive weapon which he admitted, stating he had been drunk at the time.
DI David Schofield said: “This was a very distressing event for the taxi driver who had simply been doing his job. He should not expect to be attacked and end up in hospital while innocently earning a living.
“I hope this conviction serves as a warning that violence in the workplace will not be tolerated, wherever that may be.”
