.jpg)
Man jailed after taxi driver racially abused and repeatedly stamped on in shocking Dartford attack
A man has been jailed for more than two years after carrying out a racially aggravated attack on a taxi driver following a minor road collision in Dartford.
Oliver Dryden, 30, attacked the driver on Crossways Boulevard on Wednesday 15 January 2025, after a taxi and a Peugeot were involved in a minor collision.
Both vehicles had stopped at the side of the road and the two drivers were exchanging details when Dryden, who had been sitting in the front passenger seat of the Peugeot, got out.
Dryden then attacked the taxi driver, punching him in the chest, face and jaw while also subjecting him to racist abuse.
The violence continued when the victim attempted to return to his taxi. Dryden dragged the driver to the ground before kicking him in the face and repeatedly stamping on his head.
Members of the public attempted to intervene during the assault. Dryden then threw an unknown object at the victim’s taxi and punched one of its windows before leaving the scene prior to the arrival of police officers.
Following enquiries into the attack, officers located Dryden at a pub in Bromley on 22 January 2025, seven days after the incident, and arrested him.
Dryden was subsequently charged with racially aggravated assault, racially aggravated damage to property and affray.
He pleaded guilty to the offences at an earlier hearing before appearing at Maidstone Crown Court on Tuesday 11 August 2026, where he was sentenced to two years and three months in prison.
Investigating officer Police Constable Ellie Boden said: “This was a completely unprovoked attack on an innocent man.
“The assault was carried out in broad daylight and in front of several witnesses. The victim was also subjected to racist abuse, which makes Dryden’s actions all the more unacceptable.
“I welcome the sentence handed down by the court and hope it provides the victim with some reassurance that Dryden has been held accountable for his actions.”
