Taxi driver subjected to ‘terrifying ordeal’ by drunk white van man

ADRUNK white van man who subjected a taxi driver to a terrifying ordeal in which he brake-checked him, punched his vehicle and rammed him has been jailed. Bradley Iles had downed half a bottle of vodka when for no clear reason he targeted the taxi for some 30 minutes, Bristol Crown Court heard.

The incident only ended after the taxi driver reached Bristol Airport. He was so anxious that as he was chased by Iles the cabbie smashed through the entrance barrier of the long stay car park before smashing through the exit barrier to get out.

Police were called, and they arrested Iles later in Bristol city centre.

Iles, 25, of Pretoria Road in Patchway, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving with excess alcohol and threatening behaviour in September. Judge Mark Horton jailed him for 13 months. The judge told

Iles: “You used the van as a weapon. Away from the incident and alcohol and whatever caused you to be enraged, you are a quiet, hardworking young man.”

The judge banned Iles from driving for 22 months pending an extended driving test.

The court heard the taxi was on its way to collect a fare from Bristol Airport when Iles overtook him and slammed his brakes on. So began a terrifying ‘cat and mouse’ chain of events on the A370, which included Iles stopping in front of the taxi and getting out to try and talk to the cabbie.

When the cabbie declined to engage, Iles punched his vehicle before chasing him again. At the airport, Iles rammed the taxi before the taxi smashed through the barrier of the long stay car park.

Police found Iles later in Bristol city centre and he failed a roadside breath test.

A later test showed he had 71 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The limit is 35.