Drunk thug threatened to hit taxi driver with a bottle of spirits as he robbed him of £10 in the street

Joe Johnson was locked up after a court heard he targeted the driver in the street in Dewsbury Moor on December 27 last year.

Phillip Standfast, prosecuting, said the driver dropped a female customer off on Moorside Road at 11.15am and went into her home to get money to pay the fare.

While she was gone Johnson approached the driver and asked him if he could change a £20 note.

The woman returned and handed the driver a £10 note.

At that point Johnson reached into the car and tried to grab the keys from the ignition.

The driver managed to stop Johnson taking the keys but the defendant grabbed the £10 note from his hand during the struggle.

Johnson then walked off down the street with another man.

Johnson swore at the driver and lifted a large glass bottle above his head as if to hit him.

The driver feared he was going to be struck on the head so returned to his vehicle and contacted police.

Johnson and the other man went into a shop.

Officers went to the shop and were told that the two men were hiding in a staff toilet.

One of the officers kicked the door down.

Johnson was holding a broken bottle and the £10 note was found in his pocket.

He previous convictions for robbery, theft and criminal damage.

Geraldine Kelly, mitigating, said Johnson was sorry for what he had done.

Ms Kelly said Johnson had mental health, alcohol and drug problems.

She said her client was drinking a bottle of vodka every day at the time he committed the offence.

Ms Kelly said: "While in custody he has reflected on his behaviour and the addictions that he has formed.

"He has been in classes to address his drug and alcohol intake."

Johnson was jailed for 20 months.

The Recorder of Leeds, Judge Guy Kearl QC said: "This involved a vulnerable victim in an exposed position and it was in lockdown."