Posted on the 23rd October 2026 in PHTM News
SUSPENDED SENTENCE FOR BRUTAL ATTACK ON ONE-ARMED UBER DRIVER IN SUNDERLAND
An Uber driver who uses a prosthetic arm lost his home, his marriage, and his livelihood after a violent attack by two passengers who mocked his disability.
The cabbie feared for his life as he was punched, kicked, and stamped on in Sunderland on 14 July 2024.
The violence erupted after the driver politely asked passengers Drew Davidson, 26, and an unidentified man to add a second drop-off location using their booking app.
The men became aggressive, calling him a “useless taxi driver” and telling him to “just f****** move”. When the driver stepped out of his vehicle to escape the aggression, the men followed him outside.
Davidson mocked the victim’s disability, asking: “What are you going to do with that?” before punching him to the head. The second man kicked the driver’s legs out from under him, causing him to collapse.
While the victim curled into a ball to protect himself, Davidson stamped on his left hand - his only functional arm - while the other attacker repeatedly kicked and stamped on his head against the pavement.
The assault left the driver with facial injuries, a broken thumb, and a broken finger.
In the 23 months following the assault, the victim lost £116,000 in earnings as he became unable to work nights. His PHV was repossessed, his marriage broke down, and he was left homeless and struggling with constant physical pain.
In a victim impact statement, he said: “It’s left me a mental and physical wreck. I attempted to take my life. No one could imagine the impact this attack has had on me.”
At Newcastle Crown Court, Recorder Andrew Haslam KC told Davidson this was a “thoroughly despicable assault” on a driver providing a public service.
The judge said he should be ashamed that the victim believed he was going to die because he did not think his attackers would stop.
Davidson, from Sunderland, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, with his defence stating his actions were “completely out of character” while drinking during the Euro finals.
He received a 27-month sentence, suspended for three years, and was ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work, pay £1,000 in compensation, and £550 in costs.
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