Taxi Driver Online

Brothers convicted of racial abuse and assault of taxi driver



A taxi driver who picked up two brothers from a Sandridge pub was racially abused and then assaulted after he drove them back home to Harpenden.

When a plain-clothed police officer intervened he too was abused, St Albans Crown Court was told on Friday.

Prosecutor David Stanton said Ajaz Shah, 46, collected James and Mark Hattam from the Green Man at Sandridge just after 6pm on November 30, 2012.

Mark sat in the front seat and smoked and James drank alcohol in the back, despite them being asked not to. James threw an empty glass out of a window onto a country lane.

As they reached Harpenden the brothers said they wanted to go to the town centre, but Mr Shah stopped at Station Approach.

James got out and urinated against a nearby building. Mr Shah asked for his £13.70 fare but Mark Hattam, 27, who had also got out, swore at the driver and refused to pay.

When the driver said he was going to call the police, both said: "Whatever. What are they going to do?"

James Hattam, 25, grabbed Mr Shah's jacket and pulled it over his head. He punched him, forcing him against railings. The driver slipped out of his jacket and managed to run off.

He suffered a cut above his right eye, a swollen eye socket, a lump on his arm and a bruised bicep. As a result of the attack, Mr Shah will not work late at night again.

Police arrived at the scene and one plain-clothed officer, Akmad Hussain, went to arrest James Hattam who racially abused him.

James Hattam of Ranleigh Walk, Harpenden pleaded not guilty to racially aggravated assault against Mr Shah.

His plea of guilty to the lesser charge of actual bodily harm was accepted by the prosecution on October 27, 2014. He also admitted a Section 5 racially aggravated public order offence against PC Hussain.

Mark Hattam, of the same address, pleaded guilty to a Section 5 racially aggravated public order offence against the taxi driver, Mr Shah.

Sentencing them Judge Michael Baker QC said: "Taxi drivers are in a vulnerable and exposed occupation and need to be protected."

He sentenced James Hattam to a three month jail sentence suspended for 12 months, ordered him to carry out 200 hours' unpaid work and ordered him to abide by a three month curfew between 9pm and 5am.

He must also pay £1,000 compensation to Mr Shah.

Mark Hatam was fined £1000. Both were ordered to pay £300 costs and a victim surcharge of £100.

http://www.stalbansreview.co.uk/news/11592191._/

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