A TAXI driver has been scarred for life after an attack in Huddersfield.

Naseer Ahmed was slashed in the face by Tanaka Mutambirwa, who had just had a row with his girlfriend.

Now Mutambirwa has been jailed for the vicious attack on an innocent men.

Leeds Crown Court heard how the attacker narrowly missed Mr Ahmed’s eyes when he attacked him with an electrician’s cutting tool.

Mutambirwa, 20, of Abbey Road, Fartown, appeared at Leeds Crown Court yesterday charged with unlawful and malicious wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

He had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing in relation to the nasty attack in Fairfield Road, Almondbury on Wednesday, July 11.

The court heard 44-year-old taxi driver Mr Ahmed suffered a cut to his cheek and nose and required surgery following the attack.

Judge Geoffrey Marson QC told Mutambirwa: “Your victim was a taxi driver providing a public service.

“You became angry as a result of an argument with the mother of your child and you took your anger out on a perfectly innocent man.

“You threatened him with a screwdriver, then when he disarmed you, you slashed him to the face with that tool, referred to as an electrician’s side cutter.

“You caused him a nasty injury. He still has a scar. It’s fortunate that injury was not more serious as it was very close to his eye.”

The court heard the attack was aggravated by the fact the defendant, a trainee electrician, was carrying a weapon.

Judge Marson added: “It was a loss of temper on a perfectly innocent man. It was witnessed by members of the public.”

The judge told the court he had read a letter the defendant had written and character references, before adding: “You are an intelligent young man. You are extremely fortunate to have the love and support of a caring family.”

He said he had taken several factors into account before reaching his sentence – the fact he had shown remorse, his age and his full co-operation with the probation service.

The court heard in mitigation the attack was a ‘single blow’ and was not premeditated.

Mutambirwa had no drug or alcohol problems.

Judge Marson said: “You seem to lose your temper more easily that others would.”

He sentenced the defendant to four years nine months detention and told him he must serve at least half before being released on licence.

The judge added: “I appreciate it’s a tragedy for you and your family.”