Police officer punched and strangled taxi driver

A police officer strangled a taxi driver while he was behind the wheel before punching him in the head six times in an unprovoked attack, a court heard.

Sgt Edward Howard, who works for West Yorkshire Police in the Bradford area, pleaded guilty to intentional strangulation and assault when he appeared at Leeds Magistrates' Court earlier.

The court was told Howard had been out drinking with colleagues prior to the attack in Cleackheaton on 10 November 2025 and had been sent home in a taxi for being too drunk.

He was spared jail for the "brutal" attack, and instead given a 12-month community order with 200 hours of unpaid work and made to pay the driver £400 in compensation.

The court heard the taxi driver had been travelling "at some speed" when Howard leant forward from the back seat and grabbed him by the neck with both hands and squeezed them.

CCTV footage then showed him punching the man before getting out of the car, which had just left the motorway, when it came to a stop.

The driver, who was unharmed, then drove off. He later said he thought Howard "was going to kill him".

District Judge Dave Kitson said Howard's "bizarre" behaviour could have caused the car to crash, "with catastrophic results for all concerned".

Moments before he lurched forward, he could be seen rubbing his hands together, seemingly limbering up his arms and slapping himself in the face.

Defending Howard, Tom Harris said his client had admitted his actions were "terrible and shocking".

There was a "very high" chance he would lose his job as a result, Harris added.

He cited numerous character references in support of Howard but admitted it was a "brutal attack" as part of a "bizarre episode".

The defendant was still unable to recall the assault, or anything about the circumstances, he added.

It was "very much" a one-off incident, Harris told the court.

An inspector who had worked with Howard said he had "proved himself to be extremely diligent, professional and respected" during his six years in policing.

He also held a "victim-focused mentality", they added.

Harris said his client had given himself up when he learned of his wrongdoing.

Sentencing, Judge Kitson told Howard: "I don't know what came over you and I am sure you don't either.

"It really was extreme behaviour."

The defendant was also ordered to pay a total of £199 in costs.

West Yorkshire Police previously said Sgt Howard had been "removed from frontline policing and placed on restricted duties" ahead of the court hearing.

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