Two Australians who hit Indian student get jail term, parole

Melbourne, Nov 13 : Two Australian men who racially abused, spat on and punched an Indian student working as a taxi driver last year were granted parole after they were given a jail term, a media report said Friday.

Robert Lee Kleyn, 26, and Dean James Henry Leo Cooper, 20, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm and one count of stealing in the Brisbane District Court Friday.

The incident took place after the duo took the taxi ride from the north Brisbane suburb of Albany Creek to Margate on the night of June 29, 2008.

Amelia Loode, a prosecutor, told the court the two men began to racially vilify the driver, a nightshift worker from India on a student visa, Australian Associated Press reported.

Loode said after the duo spat food over the driver, he became distressed and pulled over. They then physically threatened him and told him to keep driving.

The driver pressed the emergency button in his cab and continued, before pulling over again.

The court was told that then the duo then punched him and stole his mobile phone.

Loode said a second cab driver who came to the aid of his colleague was also punched by Kleyn.

Judge David Searles labelled the incident as a "night of madness".

"Both of you were carrying on like yobbos in the back of the taxi and things started to escalate," he was quoted as saying.

"You displayed hallmarks of conduct that is antithetical to the Australian way of life.

"Calling this an act of animals is a disservice to animals."

Kleyn was given a prison term of nine months and Cooper a sentence of six months. Both were granted parole, effective immediately.

--IANS