TWO teenagers were jailed for a combined eight years after ruthlessly dragging a taxi driver out of his car and stomping on him repeatedly in Grays.

Edward Wall, 19, of, Webster Road, Stanford-le-Hope and Ollie McKenzie, 19, of, Stour Road, Grays were charged with GBH for an attack near the Wharf Pub in Wharf Road South, Grays around 11.30pm on May 19, 2022.

Wall was also charged on two counts of ABH for attacking two victims at the Inn on the Green Pub in Stanford-le-Hope.

The pair attended Basildon Crown Court on Thursday, July 13, and were sentenced by Judge Ian Graham.

Judge Graham said: “You both left the victim seriously injured and then fled the scene.

“It is clear from the photos that the victim had been given a serious beating.

“It is clear from the victim statements he is still badly affected by what happened to him

At around 11pm on May 19, 2022, Wall and McKenzie were drinking at the Wharf with two others when a call to a taxi company was made by a woman unconnected to the case.

READ MORE:

> South Essex teenagers arrested for robbery, burglary and attempted GBH

> Essex Police arrest woman after man and car collide in Basildon
> Chichester Road Southend attack sees man hospitalised for 24 hours

The taxi arrived at 11.30pm as the driver, who was also the victim, made two attempts to contact the woman who made the call.

A group of four men including the two defendants come outside and entered the taxi claiming they knew the woman who called.

Wall entered the front seat with McKenzie entering the rear and the victim asked for a £13 deposit whilst explaining the deposit policy to the group.

Wall responded aggressively and the victim stopped after a few yards of driving, putting up his handbrake.

The victim was punched by Wall three or four times in the head and was also attacked by the group in the back.

He was then dragged out of the taxi and stomped out repeatedly by the group before they fled the scene.

The victim suffered several injuries including a fractured left eye socket and nasal bone fractures, with his eye closed for more than a week from swelling.

Wall was also charged for beating two victims in Stanford-le-Hope, knocking one out on April 15, 2022.

Judge Graham sentenced Wall to five years imprisonment for the GBH and ABH charges and Mckenzie was jailed for three years and nine months.