Two jailed for racist attack on taxi driver

Two men have each been jailed for nearly three years after a vicious attack on a taxi driver who was taking them to a flat in Bellshill.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Feb 2016, 13:01 BST
Updated 19th Feb 2016, 13:05 BST
The attack on the taxi driver happened in Hamilton Road, Bellshill (Library picture)The attack on the taxi driver happened in Hamilton Road, Bellshill (Library picture)
The attack on the taxi driver happened in Hamilton Road, Bellshill (Library picture)

Sirjuddin Siddique (54) was hit over the head with a bottle then stabbed with what was thought to be a set of keys.

David Baird (26), of Elmbank Street, Bellshill, and Anthony Dearie (21), of Dyke Street, Glasgow, were each given 33 months at Hamilton Sheriff Court.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

They admitted a racially-aggravated assault on Mr Siddique to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

Both were on bail in relation to other matters when they attacked their victim in Hamilton Road, Bellshill, just a short distance from Baird’s flat, on October 19 last year.

The pair were on their way from Glasgow to Baird’s flat when an argument apparently broke out in the taxi. Baird struck Mr Siddique with a bottle while Dearie stabbed him with, it’s believed, the keys he was carrying.

The accused said they were under the influence of drink and drugs at the time and claimed in court they were sorry for what they had done to a driver who was just doing his job.

More from the court every week in the Times & Speaker.

Related topics:Glasgow