April 15, 2008
DRUNK YOB IN ATTACK ON WOMAN CAB DRIVER
A DRUNKEN thug who vomited twice in the back of a taxi before viciously punching the female driver in the face has been given community service and told to pay his victim compensation.
Anthony Burder, from Bryncelyn Road, Gorseinon was being driven home from a night out in Swansea city centre when he attacked the driver and then began smashing up the taxi.
The 23-year-old pleaded guilty to assault and criminal damage and was given 200 hours community service by Swansea magistrates.
"Once the door closes and you drive off, you are on your own and you can’t be sure who is in your taxi.
"I’ve been a driver for 10 years, and in the past couple of years there has been a big increase in people doing runners from taxis, abusing drivers or physically attacking drivers.
"You have got to be so careful these days."
Burder and a friend took the cab from near Yates’s pub in the city centre just before midnight on Saturday, January 5.
As they drove along Carmarthen Road towards Gorseinon, Burder twice vomited in the back of the car.
When the driver ordered him out, he punched her in the face, causing a black eye and a split lip.
He then got out and began attacking the door of the cab.
He was arrested by police a short time later.
In addition to the community service order, Burder was ordered to pay £200 in personal compensation, £539 for damaging the car, and £50 towards the cost of the prosecution.
Steve Barnes, from the Swansea Taxi Owners Association, welcomed the prosecution.
"I hope this sends out a message that attacks on taxi drivers will not be tolerated," he said.
"This is something everyone needs to take more seriously.
"The vast majority of passengers are fine — it is only a minority who think they can attack or abuse drivers and get away with it,’’ said Mr Barnes.
"We are there to take people home safely after a good night out — this case hopefully shows that people won’t get away with attacking drivers."
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