Paul Pollard booked a ride to visit his kids but ended up hitting the driver in the face with a wheel brace after a dispute over the £9.50 fare.

This was his second attack on a taxi driver, having previously been locked up for 10 years for targeting another during a knifepoint robbery.

Liverpool Crown Court heard on Friday that James Thompson, a taxi driver of 17 years, began his shift at 6am on March 8 this year before collecting Pollard from an address on Longfield Road in Litherland at around 8.30am.

The 39-year-old defendant,, was said to have staggered into the car at this stage in a "very drunk" state while slurring his words and carrying a two-litre bottle of pre-mixed margarita cocktail.

Paul Becker, prosecuting, described how Pollard instructed Mr Thompson to take him to Coniston Street in Anfield, thereafter "attempting to make conversation but talking gibberish" before lying down in the back of the taxi. As they neared their destination, the driver then asked for directions but received no response.

Mr Thompson pulled over and attempted to wake Pollard as a result before walking to his boot and returning, at which stage he shook his passenger and was able to rouse him. But, having been asked to pay the £9.50 fare, he was said to have "mumbled for a while" before confessing that he had no money on him.

Pollard was then dragged out of the taxi by Mr Thompson, leading to a "stand off" between the two men before they exchanged punches. Mr Becker added: "The next thing that Mr Thompson remembers is being woken up by paramedics and the police and then being placed on a stretcher and taken to hospital.

Pollard subsequently left the scene on foot before discarding of the wheel brace and the coat that he was wearing, later being arrested nearby on Breck Road. Police meanwhile found Mr Thompson lying in the middle of Thirlmere Road while bleeding from his eyes, ears and the back of his head.

Having been rushed to Aintree Hospital, he was found to have suffered a bleed on the brain, as well as fractures to his eye socket, jaw, cheekbone, skull and nose. With his left eyeball having been bulging from its socket, he underwent surgery in order to save his sight later the same morning as a result of suspected "significant bleeding" in this area.

Mr Thompson later underwent another operation on this eye five days later at the Royal Liverpool Hospital before being further transferred to the Walton Centre for surgery to repair the broken bones in his head and his face on March 19. He may still require further reconstructive procedures and has been unable to work since, with consultants now fearing that he is "likely to permanently lose his sight in his left eye".

judge told him as he was sent back to prison today: "It may only have been one blow, but it caused catastrophic injuries. He will permanently bear the after effects of that blow to his head."

Pollard admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent. On sentencing to six years and three months in jail and an extended licence period of three years the judge told him;

"It may only have been one blow, but it caused catastrophic injuries. He will permanently bear the after effects of that blow to his head." Pollard was heard muttering "it's bulls*** this"

• Share on Facebook
• Share to X