'Scum' knifed taxi driver over pounds 8 fare.

Byline: PAT HURST 

A DRUG-CRAZED teenager who stabbed a taxi driver over an pounds 8 fare was branded "scum" after he was jailed for 10 years yesterday.

High on a cocktail of drink and cocaine, Axon MacPhee, 19, knifed David Ferrer, 57, in his stomach, the blade penetrating his intestines causing massive blood loss, after the driver asked for the fare he was due.

MacPhee then walked round to the other side of the car and attempted to plunge the knife into the neck of Mr Ferrer, a father of three.

Mr Ferrer, from Monton, Salford, trying to protect himself, was stabbed in his arm, MacPhee twisted the knife as he slashed his victim, Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester heard.

The victim, a taxi driver for 30 years, was put on a life-support machine and has since had two heart attacks and a triple heart bypass.

The court heard MacPhee had abused alcohol and cannabis since the age of 11, ecstasy since 14 and cocaine since the age of 15.

Only weeks before the at-tache had been released from detention after serving a term for affray and possessing a bladed weapon in public.

Jobless MacPhee spent his time drinking and taking drugs, the court heard.

Passing sentence, Judge Adrian Smith said: "These were life threatening injuries caused by you in a brutal and determined attack."

MacPhee, of Chomlea Manor, Salford, was found guilty of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm after a trial in April. He told the jury he was so drunk and high on drugs he could not remember the incident.

He was ordered to serve five years on licence when released.

Outside court Mr Ferrer, who has an autistic son aged 11, and two daughters, 16 and 21, said: "That man tried to take me away from that family.

"What he will do when he comes out is kill somebody. The justice system is wrong, he will do half his sentence. He's never put one penny into society, he's a taker. He will do exactly the same again, I hope it is not one of your relatives that's involved.

"I could tell they were scum the minute they got in my taxi, shouting and swearing. I blame their parents."

He had picked up MacPhee and three of his friends in his minibus on the evening of December 4, 2007, from the Willows Vault in Seedley, Salford. The group, carrying bottles of alcohol, were driven to Irlam Square but when Mr Ferrer asked for payment a row broke out. He was punched in the head before MacPhee used the knife.

Mr Ferrer managed to put his car into gear and drove himself to Hope Hospital.

He was in hospital for two weeks and has suffered numerous health problems since, which has resulted in him losing his job.

CAPTION(S):

Axon MacPhee, who was jailed for 10 years after he stabbed a taxi driver in the stomach over an pounds 8 fare