A 20-YEAR-OLD who attacked a taxi driver and then drove off in his car has been jailed for 150 days.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Warren Elliot Ivers crashed the vehicle into a garden wall a mile up the road, causing extensive damage.

And a breathalyser later revealed that Ivers was three times the legal drink-drive limit. Ivers, of St Thomas Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle taken without consent, driving with excess alcohol, racially aggravated assault and driving without insurance.

He was ordered to serve 150 days in a youth offenders institute and disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Lisa Worsley, prosecuting, said taxi driver Munawar Shah picked Ivers up from a takeaway in Roe Lee. He asked to be taken to Parklands Way but fell asleep on the way. When the taxi stopped in Heyes Lane Ivers said that would be fine and got out of the taxi and started to walk off.

"When Mr Shah asked for his fare Ivers said he hadn't called the taxi and he should get the fare of whoever did," said Miss Worsley.

She said when Mr Shah insisted he be paid Ivers put his meal on the roof of the car and punched the driver in the chest.

He fell to the floor and Ivers punched him repeatedly about the body at the same time shouting racist remarks. Mr Shah eventually escaped and ran towards a phone box but when he looked back Ivers had climbed into his car and drove off in the direction of Tockholes.

Minutes later a police officer called to a report of a collision in Pickup Brow found Ivers standing near the taxi which had collided with a stone wall.

The windscreen was damaged and Ivers had injuries to his head.

Sue Robinson, defending, said Ivers accepted punching the driver and driving off in his car but did not accept punching him repeatedly.

"This offence was totally out of character and he is disgusted with himself for the language he used towards this man," said Miss Robinson. "He is not a racist."