A taxi driver was told he would be killed and "buried" by a knife-wielding thug who also threatened to kill his family. Wakahs Nawaz turned on the driver on May 3 this year. He punched the terrified cabbie in the head and produced a knife, threatening to stab him.

Nawaz was handed an extended jail sentence of six years at Teesside Crown Court for the offences which left the driver fearing for the safety of his family. A judge told Nawaz she considered him "a real and serious risk" of similar offending.

Rachel Butt, prosecuting, told the court how the driver was called to a job to collect Nawaz from the Longlands Hotel on Marton Road at 2.45am. The intended destination was Linthorpe Road.

While intoxicated on drink or drugs, the court heard Nawaz got into the front seat and an un

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