Michael Mallon, 27, subjected the taxi driver to verbal abuse after being told the cost of the fare, the Belfast Telegraph reports.

The worried driver made a detour to a nearby police station and came to a stop, at which point Mallon kicked him out of the car.

Police were promptly alerted and removed Mallon from the vehicle, finding a small bag of cannabis on him.

He was jailed for six months for common assault, disorderly behaviour, criminal damage and obtaining services dishonestly, and ordered to serve three months of a previous suspended sentence.

Mallon was also fined £75 for the possession of cannabis.