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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/sep/28/man-jailed-spraying-ammonia-taxi-driver-face-attack-newcastle
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| Man jailed for spraying ammonia in taxi driver's face in Newcastle | Man jailed for spraying ammonia in taxi driver's face in Newcastle |
| (6 days later) | |
| A man who sprayed ammonia in a taxi driver’s face has been jailed for more than four years. | A man who sprayed ammonia in a taxi driver’s face has been jailed for more than four years. |
| Alan Thomas attacked his victim after he was asked to put down an ashtray he had picked up outside a Newcastle city centre bar. Quick-thinking passersby helped the driver, helping him rinse his face with water after he called for help. | Alan Thomas attacked his victim after he was asked to put down an ashtray he had picked up outside a Newcastle city centre bar. Quick-thinking passersby helped the driver, helping him rinse his face with water after he called for help. |
| Thomas, 24, of Elswick, Newcastle, admitted attempted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He was jailed for four years and a month at Newcastle crown court on Monday. | Thomas, 24, of Elswick, Newcastle, admitted attempted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He was jailed for four years and a month at Newcastle crown court on Monday. |
| Thomas sprayed the noxious substance at about 10.50pm on 26 July after having an exchange with the 47-year-old driver about the ashtray. Police said the driver felt a burning sensation in his eyes and was aware of a chemical smell and shouted for help. | Thomas sprayed the noxious substance at about 10.50pm on 26 July after having an exchange with the 47-year-old driver about the ashtray. Police said the driver felt a burning sensation in his eyes and was aware of a chemical smell and shouted for help. |
| Passersby and staff from a nearby restaurant gave him water to wash his face and he was taken to hospital. The prompt help he received meant that he did not suffer lasting damage. Police were called and Thomas was arrested a short time later. | Passersby and staff from a nearby restaurant gave him water to wash his face and he was taken to hospital. The prompt help he received meant that he did not suffer lasting damage. Police were called and Thomas was arrested a short time later. |
| Ch Insp Paul Knox said: “This was a cowardly attack on a taxi driver and Thomas clearly deserves this prison sentence. The court has shown that those who use such weapons should be put behind bars, to protect the public from further harm.” | Ch Insp Paul Knox said: “This was a cowardly attack on a taxi driver and Thomas clearly deserves this prison sentence. The court has shown that those who use such weapons should be put behind bars, to protect the public from further harm.” |