A taxi driver was subjected to a "ferocious" and terrifying robbery during which he was punched, kicked, throttled and racially abused.
Christopher Tams was already on a community order for supplying drugs when he targeted a cabbie who had picked him and a friend up in Newcastle.
Despite being told to take what he wanted by the frightened driver, Tams rained down punches and kicks, shouted vile racist insults and left him fearing death as he throttled him from behind. A court heard Tams told the driver, who prayed during the onslaught, "no-one is going to save you now, you are going to die".
