AN ice hockey player allegedly attacked and robbed a female taxi driver as he was unhappy at the charge for a journey.

Shaun Johnson, a former Durham Wasps player, now with Newcastle Vipers, is accused of punching the driver twice before leaning over and grabbing two £20 notes that he and his fellow passenger, teammate Michael Tasker, had paid earlier.

Durham Crown Court was told they got into the taxi at Whitley Bay seafront after leaving the Deep nightclub, early on June 18. They asked the driver for the likely charge to Durham and she said it was between £35 and £37.

Michael Graham, prosecuting, said the driver asked for money and both handed over £20. She was directed to the village of Langley Park where Mr Tasker, who is not facing any charge, got out in Finings Avenue.

Mr Graham said she assumed she would be asked to drive on to drop off Mr Johnson. But, as she was about to pull away, with the meter reading £35, Mr Johnson struck her on the back of the head.

"She recalled him saying: 'There's no way it cost this much to get here. All you black cabs are robbing bastards'."

He said Mr Johnson got out of the cab and headed away with his friend, laughing and gloating. Police and an ambulance were called, but the driver was not badly hurt.

Mr Johnson was arrested after camera footage from the nightclub was examined. He denied robbery, but admitted intending not to pay the fare.

Mr Johnson, 31, a tiler and semi-professional ice hockey player, said he could not recall having handed over any money, and, on reaching Langley Park, he said: "We got out and ran away without paying the fare."

Mr Johnson, of Netherton Close, Langley Park, denies robbery.