Man jailed for 'life-changing' assault on taxi driver

A man who assaulted a taxi driver leaving him with a life-changing head injury has been jailed for eight years.

Lewis Liddell, from Pontprennau, Cardiff, was convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court.

The assault took place during the early hours of December 19, 2021, after the 34-year-old had been drinking in Cardiff city centre.

Several cab drivers refused his fare due to him being so drunk, but Liddell managed to secure a taxi from St Mary Street to Clifton Street, Roath, where the assault took place.

A passer-by intervened but Liddell punched the victim to the head, and he fell to the pavement.

CCTV was key during the investigation as it captured Liddell’s movements – from his erratic behaviour in the city centre, to the moment he was arrested.

Detective Constable Geraint Strakis said:

“Mr Ali, aged 59, suffered an unprovoked attack in the early hours of the morning. doing a job that he loved. The attack has left him unable to work as a taxi driver which he had doing for more than 20 years, it has destroyed his life.
“Lewis Liddell was arrested soon after and is now beginning an eight-year prison sentence.
“I would like to thank the witnesses who came forward including one key witness who came forward as a direct result of a public appeal for information.
"I would also like to wish Mr Ali and his family our very best wishes as they continue to recover from this terrible incident.”

The trial took place in May and Liddell was sentenced on Thursday, November 24, 2022.