A FATHER-OF-THREE who robbed a taxi driver of his car keys in a row over the fare has been spared an immediate jail sentence.
Leslie Williams, 50, had been drinking at a friend's funeral when he grabbed Saftar Hussain by the hair, snatched his ignition keys and threw them away, Bradford Crown Court heard today.
Williams, of Lastingham Green, Buttershaw, Bradford, admitted robbery on May 1.
Prosecutor David Lampitt said Williams made racist comments to Mr Hussain and demanded more change from him after giving him £5 to pay the fare.
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After snatching the keys, he ran into his house. Police forced their way in but the keys were not found until the next morning when a paper boy spotted them lying on a grassed area nearby.
Stephen Welford, Williams' barrister, said he had been drinking at the funeral.
The offence was spur of the moment in an argument over the fare.
Williams was a family man who ran his own business.
Judge Peter Benson sentenced him to 14 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with 200 hours of unpaid work.
Williams must also carry out a probation service rehabilitation activity requirement and pay £100 compensation to Mr Hussain.
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