A MAN assaulted a taxi driver who refused to take him home because he didn't have the means to pay.

Blackburn magistrates heard Matthew Edward Allen claimed his mum would pay the fare but when the taxi driver spoke to her she refused to cough up.

Allen, 29, of Woodbine Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting Muhammad Malik. He was fined £100 and ordered to pay £50 compensation £85 costs and £30 victim surcharge.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said the defendant was drunk when Mr Malik picked him up at 12.50am.

"Because of his condition the driver asked for payment up front and the defendant said he had no money but his mum would pay," said Miss Allan.

"He was sitting in the passenger seat when the driver was told by his mum she would not pay and the driver said he would not take him home."

She said Allen hit the driver in the face and he got out and locked the doors before calling the police.

"It was a single punch but it was aggravated by the fact the victim was a public servant carrying out his duty," said Miss Allan.

Catherine Fell, defending, said her client had no previous convictions.

"He had been drinking all day and accepts he had far too much," said Miss Fell.

"He doesn't remember a great deal of what happened but accepts what the aggrieved says."