A MAN who racially abused a taxi driver before threatening to stab police officers has been jailed for almost three years.

James Anthony Taylor, 36, admitted affray, causing racially aggravated fear or provocation of violence and criminal damage.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard that on Tuesday, October 27, last year, police were called to reports of a taxi alarm activation at the junction of Pembroke Road and Alumhurst Road in Bournemouth.

The cabbie raised the alarm after Taylor, who he had picked up as a customer, grabbed his phone and shouted racially aggravated abuse at him – before threatening to attack him.

At Pembroke Road, Taylor got out of the taxi but refused to give the driver back his mobile phone, instead demanding £40 for its return.

When the cabbie handed over the money, Taylor continued to walk away with the phone

The victim did manage to take back the phone, the court was told, but the money was not reclaimed.

Also, during the incident Taylor pushed the taxi driver causing him to fall to the floor.

Afterwards, unarmed officers approached the address Taylor had entered and attempted to detain him – but the defendant said he was holding a knife and would stab them.

Armed response officers subsequently attended the address and Taylor was arrested.

Speaking after Taylor was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Wednesday, April 7, constable Liam Moss, of Dorset Police’s priority crime team, said: “I am pleased that through our investigations Taylor was charged and brought before the court in relation to these offences.

“I would like to praise the officers who first attended the scene for the bravery they showed when faced with a difficult situation.

“This was also a terrifying incident for the taxi driver involved as he was just carrying out his job.

“Nobody deserves to be subjected to such abuse and I am glad Taylor has been brought to justice.”

Taylor was also sentenced in relation to other incidents after admitting assault by beating, making off without making payment, breach of conditional discharge, failing to surrender, three counts of criminal damage and two counts of theft.

He was jailed for two years and ten months.