A TAXI driver was hit in the face and £600 worth of damage was done to his car when he insisted on being paid his £2 fare, a court was told.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Simon Paul Bates kicked the vehicle which had taken him and a friend to a party in Taylor Street, Clitheroe.

Bates, 24, of Faraday Avenue, Clitheroe, pleaded guilty to assaulting Mohammed Azad and damage, and possession of one ecstasy tablet.

He was sentenced to six weeks in prison and ordered to pay £600 compensation for the damage and £70 to Mr Azadt.

Charges of racially aggravated assault and racially aggravated criminal damage were withdrawn.

Defence solicitor Basharat Ditta said Bates was serving a 12-month prison sentence for wounding, imposed by Preston Crown Court in August.

"My client has always accepted that there was an assault and damage caused to the taxi but he is not a racist," said Mr Ditta.

He would have been due for release with a tag before Christmas but, because of those matters hanging over him, he could not be released and is not due for release until February 23.

"Had he been charged with the non-racially aggravated offences he would have pleaded guilty straight away and been dealt with" said Mr Ditta.