A TAXI driver was hit on the head with a hammer when he was attacked at a Bradford petrol station in broad daylight in front of horrified bystanders.

Naomi Warwick and Reiss Callendar set about the cabbie when their two children were in his vehicle and motorists were buying fuel, Bradford Crown Court heard.

Warwick struck the back of the taxi with a hammer before using it to smash the windscreen and then hitting the driver on the head with it.

Callendar ran up and threw “a flying punch” at him before stealing his money bag containing up to £120.

Warwick, 29, of London Road, Croydon, and Callendar, 30, of Danby Street, East Dulwich, London, pleaded guilty to causing the taxi driver grievous bodily harm on July 23, 2019.

Warwick admitted possession of the small hammer as an offensive weapon and doing £100 damage to the taxi. Callendar pleaded guilty to theft of the victim’s money.

The court heard that they were living together at an address in Bradford at the time before relocating to London.

They were in the taxi with their two children when they asked the driver to stop at the petrol station. Callendar then got out and Warwick started swearing loudly at the driver when he said he should hurry up.

The victim gave back a £5 note that Callendar had handed him and said they should get another taxi. Warwick then attacked the vehicle and the driver with the hammer.

The cabbie was treated in hospital for a 3cm cut to his head. He had to take time off work and he suffered with headaches and loss of confidence when doing his job.

Warwick had previous convictions for assault occasioning actual bodily harm and battery.

Callendar had convictions for battery, non-payment of a fare and threatening behaviour.

In mitigation for Warwick, it was said that she was the mother of four children, one a baby. She had a very traumatic background and had sought help for depression and anxiety.

The offences were almost three years old and she was trying very hard to get her life on track.

For Callendar, it was said he did not instigate the violence but he joined in. His previous convictions were for low level offences dealt with by the magistrates.

Recorder Alistair MacDonald QC adjourned the case until April 6 to view a psychiatric report being prepared on Warwick.

He gave both defendants bail and told them all sentencing options remained open.