A Bristol man admitted attacking an Uber taxi driver on Park Street.
Charles Garland, 25, of Owls Head Road in Bristol, pleaded guilty to a racially-aggravated assault on driver Shamraz Ali after a night out on August 26.
Garland, who has no previous convictions, admitted punching the driver several times when he refused to drive him, as well as biting the back of his neck and racially abusing him.
Police witnessed the assault and heard the abuse.
The driver made a statement saying he had been driving for three years, he had not been assaulted of verbally abused before and was left shocked.
Magistrates followed a probation recommendation and handed Garland an 18 months community order with 100 hours of unpaid work and a rehabilitation activity requirement.
Garland was told to pay £160 compensation with a £90 victim surcharge and £85 costs.
Magistrates told him: “It was a nasty offence, it was prolonged.
“Drivers can ask people to leave their cars, they don’t have to give a reason and your response was unnecessary.”
Read more coverage from Bristol Magistrates' Court today here.
For the latest news in and around Bristol, visit and bookmark Bristol Live's homepage.
