A MAN whose friend was being chased by an irate taxi driver smashed the vehicle's wing mirror to attract the driver's attention.

Blackburn magistrates heard Michael Willetts also then ran off but both men were eventually arrested.

Willetts, 33, of St Mary's Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to criminal damage to a wind mirror belonging to Ali Mohammed.

He was given a conditional discharge for two years and ordered to pay £40 compensation, £85 costs and £20 victim surcharge.

The court heard Willetts and a friend were asked to pay the taxi far up front but refused.

The other man also refused to get out of the taxi until the driver threatened to drive to the police station.

When he did get out he said he was going to break the driver's jaw before punching him through the open window.

He ran off, pursued by the driver, at which point Willetts smashed the wing mirror.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said his client was worried about what the taxi driver might do to his friend.

"In order to get him back to the taxi he smashed the wing mirror," said Mr Taylor.