Thug Russell Barnard, 28, attacked taxi driver Nazar Abbas with a knuckleduster after the terrified victim rang 999 - and was advised to get his assailant's name and address
A road rage thug threatened a taxi driver with a knuckleduster after the terrified victim rang 999 - and was advised to get his assailant's name and address.
Russell Barnard, 28, had already threatened Nazar Abbas and refused to give out his personal details on request after the pair were involved in a minor crash in Altrincham, Greater Manchester.
But when Mr Abbas called police to say Barnard was being aggressive towards him, an officer suggested the cabbie go back to Barnard and ask again for his name.
As Mr Abbas did so, Barnard angrily grabbed the knuckleduster from his Renault car and warned the victim: 'F*ck off, I'm not going to give my details - I'm going to smash your face in instead'.
The victim was forced to lock himself in his private hire cab whilst Barnard stood outside.
Police arrived to find Barnard attempting to drive away and discovered an axe in the footwell of his car.
In a statement Mr Abbas said: 'I felt very vulnerable and I now refuse to operate as a taxi driver in that area.' A report revealed Barnard, from Hale, had 'multiple personality disorder' and his outburst occurred when he was 'under the influence of one of the unpleasant personalities.'
At Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, he admitted using threatening behaviour and possessing an offensive weapon.
The pair were involved in the collision near a Sainsbury's store on October 19 last year.
Prosecutor Miss Lisa Boocock said: 'Mr Abbas tried to exchange details with the defendant, who instead refused to do so and drove off to a nearby car park.
'Mr Abbas followed him into that car park and the two of them got out of the vehicles.
'But the defendant was very aggressive with Mr Abbas, who was asking him for details for insurance purposes.
'He told Mr Abbas to 'f*ck off and go away.'
Mr Abbas said the defendant was staring straight at him which frightened him and gave him cause to be concerned. He was frightened he was going to be attacked so he phoned the police. But surprisingly the police told him to try and get the details again.
Barnard had already threatened Nazar Abbas and refused to give out his personal details on
