A MAN high on drugs and drink hurled racist abuse at taxi drivers after they refused his fare.

Michael Smith, of Leeds Road, Deighton, threatened the workers at A1 Taxis before damaging one of their cars.

He was yesterday slammed by Kirklees magistrates, who told him that taxi drivers had a right to go about their work unthreatened.

Caren Sohande, prosecuting, said that Smith went to the firm’s office on Newsome Road at 10.30pm on September 26.

He was with another man and two women, who both went into the office.

Smith saw taxi drivers Shaukat Ali and Mohammed Rafi and swore at them, demanding to know what they were looking at.

When Mr Ali asked the 23-year-old why he was talking to them like that, Smith called them “P*** b*******”.

Ms Sohande said: “Mr Ali said that because of his language he would not be taking a taxi with that firm.

“The defendant responded by making threats to return and burn the office down and stab them.”

Magistrates were told that Smith then turned on Mr Rafi’s Ford Galaxy.

He kicked the driver’s door, causing it to bend and an estimated £610 to repair.

The taxi drivers called police and followed Smith until officers arrived and arrested him.

Smith initially denied using racist language, claiming that the men had insulted him and his friend for being white.

He also claimed that he damaged the car door by accident after tripping over a dog lead and falling over.

Smith was due to stand trial, but days before it was due to start, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated threatening behaviour and criminal damage.

Bob Carr, mitigating, said that his client had been drinking for most of the day and taken class B drug MCAT.

He said: “It clearly had an adverse effect on him, he was showing off to the two girls.

“This was not the best way to impress anybody, but there you have it.”

Magistrates heard that at the time of the offence Smith was subject to a community order, which was imposed for criminal damage in July.

The bench sentenced Smith to an eight-week curfew between 7pm and 7am.

He was also ordered to pay £250 compensation to the taxi firm.

Bench chairwoman Christine Mills said: “This was quite a serious offence on taxi drivers doing their job.

“Lots of people rely on taxis and they don’t need to be abused when people are on their premises.”