An Asian taxi driver was attacked and abused after he picked up a group of young people in Hereford city centre and took them to the Newton Farm estate, a court heard.
There was a dispute about the fare, said Ian Ball, prosecuting, and the driver was struck before the youths and two girls ran off without paying.
Daniel Bufton, aged 21, of Springfield Avenue, Hereford, and Jamie Whittingham, 17, of Rogers Avenue, Hereford, pleaded guilty at Worcester Crown Court to making off without payment and racially-aggravated assault.
Bufton, who had 21 previous convictions, was sent to prison for six months.
His barrister, Scott Coughtrie, said no serious injuries had been caused in an alcohol-fuelled argument. Bufton had since disassociated himself from the gang in Leominster.
Whittingham, who had 11 previous convictions, was said by Giles Nelson, defending, to have made good progress after a recent spell in detention.
Sentence on him was deferred for six months.
Judge Alistair McCreath said that courts had a duty to protect taxi drivers who were carrying out a vital public service, often in the early hours of the morning.
