A MAN from Rhyl who inflicted a “planned” attack on a taxi driver has been jailed.

David Ross, 44, of Brynhyfryd Avenue, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment at Mold Crown Court (June 22).

He was found guilty after trial of both assault and criminal damage to property on May 30.

Prosecuting, Alexandra Carrier said that, on July 24, 2022, Mehmet Dagtekin, the owner of Dino’s Private Hire taxi firm, was working in Llandudno when he received a call from Ross asking for a ride.

Mr Dagtekin arrived, in his white Tesla vehicle, to collect Ross between 6.30 and 7pm; during the journey, the defendant appeared “pleasant”.

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Upon arrival at his destination, Ross asked Mr Dagtekin to wait in his car, then asked for a return journey.

Ross then approached the driver’s side of the vehicle and opened the door, asking for Mr Dagtekin’s bank details to pay his fare.

As Mr Dagtekin looked down at his phone, Ross hit him to the right side of his face, before taking the mobile and using it to punch Mr Dagtekin across his face and head.

Another male then came to the passenger side of the vehicle and began punching Mr Dagtekin through a car window, while Ross kicked him to his ribs and legs with “full force”.

Mr Dagtekin remembered thinking that Ross was going to kill him during the attack.

Ross tried to open a passenger door which Mr Dagtekin had locked, but after being unable to do so, began hitting the car windscreen, causing it to crack.

In total, £1,725.85 of criminal damage was caused to Mr Dagtekin’s vehicle, while Ross also took his phone case worth £300.

Mr Dagtekin sustained bruising, swelling, tenderness to his lower jaw and spine, and bleeding from his right ear.

When interviewed twice by police, Ross remained silent throughout.

In a statement, Mr Dagtekin said that the incident has had a detrimental impact on his sleep, while he has since been prescribed antidepressants and tablets to treat headaches.

He also receives regular counselling, adding that he is “no longer the same person as I was before this incident”, and is not working as regularly so is losing money.

Defending Ross, who had 22 previous convictions for 32 offences, Jade Tufail said he has been “out of trouble” since he served a prison sentence imposed in 2013, and has not re-offended since this “isolated incident”.

Ross, who is newly married, was said to have made “significant progress” in life, and is the main provider his wife and stepdaughter, as well as running his own motor trading business.

Ms Tufail invited the court to suspend his custodial sentence, deeming Ross as having a “realistic prospect of rehabilitation”.

Despite this, Recorder Wyn Lloyd-Jones said a suspended sentence “would not be sufficient punishment”.

Recorder Lloyd-Jones told Ross: “You planned this attack. It must have been terrifying.

“I wouldn’t be doing my job properly if I suspended these sentences.”

A restraining order, prohibiting Ross from contacting Mr Dagtekin directly or indirectly by any means, was imposed for five years.