Hunslet Cars cabbie David Brown clung on to the steering wheel after Lee Brook, 31, of Royal Close, Hunslet, jumped into the driver's seat and started to drive off, Leeds Crown Court heard.

As Brook picked up speed to 30mph Mr Brown could no longer cling on and fell into the road after travelling around 20 yards.

He suffered cuts and grazes in the incident on February 20, last year.

Prosecutor, Helen Holmes said when Mr Brown responded to a request to pick a fare up in Hunslet, he found Brook standing at the side of the road holding a carpet.

Brook complained that his back hurt and he asked Mr Brown to help him.

Mr Brown left the keys in the ignition and the engine running, but as he loaded the carpet into the taxi's boot Brown jumped in the driver's seat.

The court heard Brook was spotted dumping the cab in Hunslet and was later picked out by a witness at a police identity parade.

He had taken Mr Brown's £45 cash float from the cab.

Brook pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.

Nicholas Lumley, for Brook, said: "He has been a thorough and complete nuisance...he didn't intend to harm the taxi driver."

Brook also admitted three thefts from cars and asked for 32 similar offences to be taken into consideration.

Brook has a string of previous convictions for theft to fund drug addiction dating back to 1991.

Judge Ian Dobkin handed him a two year community order to include a drug rehabilitation programme.