A CABBIE was assaulted and had his phone stolen when he refused to take four passengers from Bradford to Batley.

Father-of-four Ali Akhtar, 49, picked up one male during the evening of April 12 at a takeaway and was asked to travel to another takeaway in Oak Lane.

Three of the first passenger's friends got into the Girlington All Over taxi and as they travelled along Whetley Lane, events took a turn for the worse at 7.30pm.

Mr Akhtar said the passengers in the pre-booked cab paid a £10 fare for the first journey, but demanded the driver take them to Batley and refused to give him any more money.

"He paid £10 and then was saying 'drop me off in Batley'," said Mr Akhtar.

"I said I couldn't go there without a booking.

"I told them I wasn't going anywhere without a booking."

Mr Akhtar continued to challenge the passengers and said he would not be driving to Batley.

The driver, who has worked for the Girlington company for the last three years, says this angered the men.

A video of the exchange was posted on social media and shows the males becoming increasingly more aggressive with the driver.

When Mr Akhtar picks up his radio and and contacts the operator about what is taking place inside his taxi, the men demand he stops the car.

The male in the passenger seat, wearing a baseball cap and Adidas tracksuit, asks: "Bro, what you gonna do, bro?"

A male sat in the back then shouts at Mr Akhtar to "open the doors."

When the car stops at the traffic lights on Whetley Lane, all of the males begin screaming at Mr Akhtar to "open the f****** doors."

One of the passengers in the rear seats reaches over Mr Akhtar's right shoulder and releases the doors.

As the men get out, they slam the doors and kick all four doors, damaging them.

Mr Akhtar was kicked on his arm by the male who was in the passenger seat as he stands outside the car.

Mr Akhtar, who returned to work three days after the attack, added: "When they got out the car they kicked all the doors and took my phone.

"They damaged all four doors and ran away with my phone so I couldn't phone the police.

"The next day I was too scared to drive and I still feel like everybody who gets in my cab will hit me.

"I'm scared that someone might come and find me.

"My children are only small and I have them to think about - it's not good.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: "Enquiries are continuing to identify those involved in this incident and the victim has recently been updated on the status of the investigation.

"Anyone with information which may assist can contact police on 101 or at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat quoting crime reference 13190190348.

"Information can also be reported to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111."