Drunken thug who threatened to strangle terrified Leeds taxi driver escapes jail

Leeds Crown Court heard how Dean Johnson, 37, and two friends got into Mr Hussain’s taxi following a night out in Leeds on July 27 2024, and asked to be taken to Headingley, before changing their destination to Harehills.

Prosecutor Emily Hassell told the court how Johnson, who was sat in the front passenger's seat, became aggressive after being told he couldn’t drink in the vehicle, leading to Mr Hussain stopping his vehicle on Otley Road - informing the defendant that he couldn’t continue the journey unless he stopped drinking.

Johnson threatened to strangle Mr Hussain, but later calmed down and the journey continued to its destination. It was here that he grabbed the victim’s mobile phone, worth £150, which was attached to the car dashboard and a bag of cash before making off, the court heard.

Mr Hussain used a nearby shop’s phone to call taxi firm and police. Johnson escaped the scene on foot, but was later arrested and taken to Elland Road police station, where he admitted to taking the phone, but insisted it wasn’t a robbery.

The incident left Mr Hussain “mentally and emotionally drained,” and reluctant to take groups of males in taxi. He and his wife have since returned to Pakistan.

In mitigation, defence counsel Anatasis Tasou told the court how his client had taken the phone to feed his cocaine addiction, later selling it for £30. Johnson, who has previous convictions for theft, robbery and burglary, is currently serving time for another crime at HMP Wealstun.

Passing sentence, Judge Howard Crowson described the incident as an “unplanned snatching” and an “act of spite by an angry passenger.” He fined Johnson £150 fine, plus a surcharge, to be paid by May 16 2026. He is due to be released from custody in April.