A TAXI driver was punched at the wheel and subjected to a barrage of racist abuse by a passenger.

When Syed Shah, a driver for Trent Cars, pointed out Andrew Cooke to police he could still hear him shouting: "I'm going to shoot all of them."

Cooke, 26, was sentenced to 180 days in prison after a hearing at Nottingham Magistrates' Court.

Mr Shah had picked him up at about 8pm on February 3. Cooke made a call on his mobile phone before shouting at Mr Shah and asking him what he was looking at.

He then started racially abusing him.

Cooke punched Mr Shah on the shoulder and the back of his neck while he was driving along Forest Road.

Prosecuting, Malc Bills said: "He hit him at the back of the neck and he could not do anything as he was driving at about 20mph. He is a gentleman that was only doing his job."

The court heard that once Cooke got out of the car he ran off, but Mr Shah found two PCSOs and pointed out Cooke to them.

Cooke, of Wells Gardens, St Ann's, denied racially aggravated common assault but was convicted after a trial.

Sentencing him, chairman of the bench Neville Bostock said: "This offence was committed whilst you were in drink (drunk) and on a vulnerable victim.

"It was committed at night time and on a person providing a public service."

In mitigation the court heard that Cooke had a drug and alcohol problem, and now lives with a man he met at a meeting for reformed alcoholics.

claire.carter@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk