SECURITY camera footage taken from a Bridlington taxi has led to the prosecution of a teenager who bit a driver.

Ken Smith was bitten three times on the chest after his passenger tried to run off without paying.

Now, Benjamin Lumby, of Hastings Walk, Bridlington, has been sentenced to community service, a curfew and has to pay damages after pleading guilty to the attack.

The 19-year-old is the first person to be taken to court using CCTV footage taken from a taxi camera.

The system was installed as part of a six-month trial using 10 of the town's taxis.

Lumby was one of three passengers picked up by Mr Smith at the rank in Promenade.

Mr Smith said: "When we got to their destination, the two lads said they did not have any money. After a bit of arguing, a woman who was with them eventually paid.

"I was in the middle of a three-point-turn trying to leave when one of the lads reached in through the open window and snatched my glasses.

"I chased and caught him and he bit me three times on the chest before threatening to bite my nose off.

"The other passenger then stepped in and picked me up off the floor. The CCTV helped police see exactly what happened instead of it being one person's word against another's ."

Magistrates in Bridlington sentenced Lumby to a community order until July 31, a five-month curfew between 8pm and 5am each night and 220 hours' unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £500 damages to Mr Smith and £60 costs for the assault, which happened in November last year.

Chris Chapman, Humberside Police licensing officer for the East Riding, said: "I hope this sends a message out to other taxi users that this sort of unacceptable behaviour will not be tolerated."

The Mail made repeated attempts to get the CCTV footage, which was installed at a cost to the taxpayer, from East Riding Council, to act as a deterrent and warning to other potential offenders. However, the local authority refused.

In a statement, Andrew Milner, head of community engagement at the council, said: "We are delighted the CCTV footage has helped to bring about a successful prosecution. However, we do not believe the release of the footage is either appropriate or will add anything to your coverage in this case. The fact that there has been a successful prosecution will serve as a deterrent."