Three 21-year-old men begin six year prison sentences today for the "night of craziness'' which led to the attack on longtime taxi driver Warrington (Soup) Zuill.

Ricardo Alexander Denbrook and brothers Howard Austin Sinclair Mello and Andrew Leroy Hayward all apologised for beating and robbing Mr. Zuill and taking his taxi on June 9.

Supreme Court One was packed with the men's families and Mr. Zuill and his family as Chief Justice Austin Ward said taxi drivers are entitled to "such protection that the law can give''.

The trio were sentenced to six years in prison on a charge of aggravated robbery and six months for taking the 68-year-old's taxi. The maximum sentence for aggravated robbery is 14 years in prison.

Denbrook and Mello were also jailed for two-and-a-half years for causing grievous bodily harm.

Hayward denied the charge and the Crown did not proceed against him on it. All sentences are concurrent.

Crown counsel Juan Wolffe told the court Mr. Zuill answered a call to pick up a fare near the Tio Pepe Restaurant on South Shore Road, Southampton around 10.15 p.m.

Hayward got in the front passenger seat while Denbrook and Mello got in the rear. Mr. Zuill was told to go to Hamilton.

Once on Burnt House Hill Road, he was instructed to turn onto a side road where Mello grabbed him by the throat and the others began punching Mr. Zuill.

Cabbie 's attackers jailed for six years A struggle ensued and $80 was taken from the driver's front shirt pocket.

Mr. Wolffe said the battle continued outside the cab where Mr. Zuill was punched and kicked about the face and body while he cried for help and begged for the assault to stop.

Mello then drove the trio to Hamilton where they intended to attend a reggae concert. With them they had Mr. Zuill's cell phone and his ring had been removed.

Mr. Zuill was found a short time later bleeding and bruised, bent over, his left arm swinging.

Blood was flowing from his nose, his left eye was swollen and he had bruises about his body.

Mello wiped the space wagon taxi clean and it was left near Mount St. Agnes Acadeny in Hamilton.

Denbrook's lawyer, Venous Telford gave some indication of the events leading up to the attack.

In his statement, he told of the trio having begun drinking alcohol and smoking cannabis shortly after 3 p.m. that afternoon and going to "Westside'' or the Camp Hill area in the evening.

Ms Telford said Denbrook told Police he had thought about jumping out of the taxi but Mello hit Mr. Zuill.

He admitted wrestling with Mr. Zuill and that after they fell into a bush he kicked the driver while he was trying to stand.

"My client has expressed his regret at what he called a night of craziness,'' Ms Telford said.

During the struggle with Mr. Zuill, his wedding band came off and as Denbrook sat in the back of the taxi thinking about what he had done, he left the ring there.

Character witness Sheelagh Cooper said Denbrook had lived with her family for a short time when he was 15-years-old.

Upon his return from boarding school last year "things went very much downhill'' she said.

"Despite Ricardo's talents and his intellect and many other gifts,'' the child rights campaigner and counsellor added, "he has a tragic flaw and that is a very strong disposition which is genetically based toward addictive behaviour.'' Each man apologised for his actions, and each asked that Mr. Zuill would one day forgive them.

"I'm truly sorry for what happened to Mr. Zuill,'' Denbrook said. "That night is greatly regretted. I was living a lifestyle of abuse. That's not an excuse but it is a fact that if I had not been drinking, I would not have been before you today.'' Mello said: `I'd like to apologise to Mr. Zuill. I'm most embarrassed. I have never been a violent person. (Alcohol and drugs) really don't excuse my actions. I just wish that Mr. Zuill could find it in his heart to forgive me one day.'' Hayward apologised to Mr. Zuill and the public, and especially apologised to his mother for "embarrassing'' her.

During submissions to Mr. Justice Ward, Mr. Wolffe drew the ire of Denbrook's lawyer, Venous Telford and Hayward and Mello's lawyer, Mark Pettingill.

He said: "Mr. Zuill was left there to die. My friends (Ms Telford and Mr.

Pettingill) can suck their teeth all they want. Let's be frank, Mr. Zuill was 68 years old and he is not a spring chicken in that he can just get up.

"These three defendants were raining down on Mr. Zuill and left him there,'' he added.

Warrington (Soup) Zuill