Spitting cab driver jailed

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/mostpopular.var.2074510.mostviewed.spitting_cab_driver_jailed.php

A CAB driver who spat on two parking wardens after he was given an
on-the-spot fine has been jailed.

Rukhsar Khan, aged 24, of Bertrand Road, Bolton, spat at a parking
warden after she issued his car with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).

Khan had left his private hire vehicle parked in a taxi rank, specifically
designated for Hackney carriage taxis, in Knowsley Street at around
3.15pm on May 29 last year.

The NCP parking warden issued the fine and was taking a picture of the
car as Khan returned.

He began shouting abuse and obscenities at the woman, aged 38, and
then spat on her, before throwing a plastic bottle at her and driving off.

The attendant, who asked not to be named, said: "He just got in the car,
put his window down, and spat at me. It hit me on my trousers. Five
members of the public saw it and started shouting at him, saying it was disgusting."

The parking warden then made her way to Palatine Street, Bolton, where
she had radioed her supervisor who was meeting her with a "spit-kit" to
take a sample of the man's DNA.

"While I was there, the driver of the taxi drove back round and got of his
car and started asking me why I was causing trouble and started shouting
more abuse."

Khan, who was driving for Metro Cars at the time, then spat again, this
time at the NCP supervisor who had stood in front of his colleague in a bid
to protect her.

The parking attendant, who has been in the job for five years, said she
was really shaken up by the incident and thought that she was going to be assaulted.

"I felt sick. For me, it's the lowest form of assault. I was over the moon
when he got sent to jail. We are not the best-liked people in the world but
we shouldn't have to put up with that," she added.

Khan pleaded guilty to common assault and was sentenced to two months
in jail when he appeared before Bolton magistrates on February 18.

He was also given a further four months after admitting a separate charge
of possession of a class C drug.

Nigel Coltman, head of on-street NCP services, said: "This was a
particularly unpleasant and aggressive incident and we are pleased to see
that the court has taken a hard line against this individual."

Insp Ian Parker, of Bolton Police, added: "These people were just doing
their job when this unwarranted attack took place. We take assaults like
this very seriously and we will pursue the maximum sentence every time."