Taxi Driver Online

Taxi fares row drama at Burnley farm

A CABBIE was terrorised as he was allegedly attacked, abused, kept in a locked farmyard and threatened in a row over a fare, a court was told.
Rashid Mahmood was said to have been told by painter and decorator William Poole he would be shot if he called the police, that the defendant's dog would eat him and he would have to climb over the gates to get away, Burnley magistrates heard.

The court heard how one of Poole's two dogs was alleged to have got into the taxi of the victim, who was said to have had his coat pulled, back slapped and then punched near his kidney and racially insulted in the late-night trouble.

Poole (32), of Manchester Road, Burnley, admitted racially aggravated common assault and possessing cannabis. The court was told the prosecution and defence versions of what went on differed and he was bailed until a trial over the facts on July 30th.

Mrs Christiana Buchanan (prosecuting) said that Mr Mahmood would say as he finally got away from the yard of Higher Gibfield Farm, where the defendant lived, his vehicle was kicked and slapped.

The victim was very frightened and after 10 minutes had to pull over to get over the shock. He contacted his base and was told to go straight to the police. Poole was later arrested and made offensive remarks about taxi drivers. Police found cannabis in his sock.

The defendant was questioned and claimed he believed the victim was trying to cheat him. He accepted he punched Mr Mahmood twice through the open car window, as he was leaving, and admitted shouting racist remarks. He denied making threats.

Mr Philip Turner (defending Poole) said he went each week to the Mason's Arms, Crawshawbooth, used the same taxi firm to get home and the fare was usually £8. When he was picked up, there was no discussion about the fare and he expected to be charged what he always paid. The taxi driver had told police Poole was in good spirits and there was no aggression towards him during the journey.

Mr Turner said Poole lived with his father and the farm had electric gates, controlled with a fob. They shut automatically after entry. The defendant offered the driver £10, but Mr Mahmood was screaming at him for £14. Poole would say his behaviour was not racially motivated, but was racially aggravated.

The solicitor said Poole was annoyed with the driver and felt he was being cheated. One of his dogs came over to him, but it did not get in the vehicle. The defendant accepted he made racial references and also punched the driver's shoulder.

Poole, who did not have any violence or public disorder offences to his name, would say he let Mr Mahmood out of the gates and he was not kept against his will. The defendant's behaviour was clearly out of character and he had been out of order.

Mr Turner went on: "Of course taxi drivers have a difficult job and they are vulnerable, but people who have had a few drinks and are being taken home in good spirits are themselves vulnerable to being overcharged."

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