A TAXI driver collecting a fare was assaulted by his front-seat passenger during a row over the costs of the journey.

Magistrates heard that Iain Campbell tried to apply the hand brake as the taxi was being driven back to the starting point during the short-lived journey.

Campbell, 31, of Church Street, Haslingden, pleaded guilty to assaulting Abdul Majid. He was made subject to community supervision for 12 months and ordered to do 80 hours community punishment.

Emma Kehoe, prosecuting, told Blackburn magistrates Mr Majid had attended at Mytton Hall Lodge at 11.20pm to collect Campbell and his girlfriend "Shortly after their journey started he became very agitated and questioned the fact there was no meter in the taxi," said Mrs Kehoe. "He began shouting and using foul language and Mr Majid decided it was unwise to continue the journey. Campbell insisted he take them back to Mytton Hall and during that journey he tried to pull on the handbrake several times."

When they got back to the hall Campbell began to punch the driver who ran off and called the police on his mobile.

"Campbell got into the car and drove it a short distance but the female was shouting at him to stop," said Mrs Kehoe.

Ian Huggan, defending, said his client had no previous convictions and the first thing his client had said to police was that he was sorry.

"This incident was totally out of character for him," said Mr Huggan.