ONE of a trio of taxi drivers who beat up a drunk passenger after he refused to pay his fare has been jailed.

Robert Haydon, 53, of Bourton Close, Witney, was jailed for the 25-minute assault on Kevin Headley for 12 months.

He was also jailed a further four months to run consecutively for perverting the course of justice by lying to police resulting in the arrest of Mr Headley.

The attack, which involved fellow cabbies Samantha Mundy, 31, of Gassons Way, Lechlade-On-Thames, and Robert Simons, 34, of Panters Close, Cholsey, took place outside the Churchill Court Hotel, Long Hanborough on June 5 last year after Mr Headley refused to pay £35.

Mundy was given a 6-month prison sentence for the assault, consecutive with 4 months prison for perverting the course of justice, suspended for 18 months, and must carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

Simons was made subject to a community order to include 100 hours of unpaid work.