Sunderland man left with 10cm wound after being attacked by taxi driver with wheel brace
https://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/cri ... ce-3067237
Image: Sunderland Echo
A cabbie attacked a passenger with a metal wheel brace after a row over a fare.
Taxi driver Touseef Ahmed and customer Jamie Brown had disagreed over the cost of a journey from Newcastle to Sunderland.
Newcastle Crown Court heard when they reached the destination Mr Brown paid what was required and then "slammed" the car door as he left.
In response, the cabbie followed Mr Brown on foot and hit his head with a metal wheel brace, which caused a 10cm wound that required seven staples in hospital.
Prosecutor Joanne Kidd told the court Mr Brown had been out socialising in Newcastle in September 2018 and picked up Ahmed's cab at a rank in the early hours of the morning.
During the journey to Mr Brown's home in Sunderland, the men "disagreed" about the charge.
Miss Kidd said: "As the taxi got closer to the victim's home address there was an argument.
"Jamie Brown paid the full taxi fare and at that point he got out of the taxi.
"It would seem Mr Brown was not happy with the circumstances in which the trip ended and as he got out of the taxi he slammed the door and began to walk away.
"The defendant Mr Ahmed followed Jamie Brown in his taxi down the road."
Miss Kidd added: "He noticed that Mr Ahmed then got out of his taxi and was following him on foot.
"Jamie Brown turned and asked Mr Ahmed why he was following him.
"Next thing he was aware of was a significant pain to the left hand side of his head.
"His next memory was speaking to the police at his home, at which point he clearly had a significant injury to his head."
The court heard police found Mr Brown's DNA on the wheel brace after the attack.
Ahmed, 47, of Willow Avenue, Fenham, Newcastle, claimed Mr Brown had been already injured when he got into the cab.
But he later pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm and having an offensive weapon.
Judge Sarah Mallett sentenced Ahmed to 10 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with 225 hours unpaid work and £250 compensation order.
Judge Mallett told him: "Problems arose over the payment and an argument ensued which let to him getting out of the vehicle and slamming the door. It seems likely some damage was caused by that.
"After initially driving away for a short distance, you, having I think undoubtedly lost your temper as a result of the damage that was caused and the other circumstances, got out of the taxi and you struck Jamie Brown with a wheel brace, causing a long wound to the left side of his head that required staples."
Judge Mallett said she accepted was an "isolated incident" and Ahmed has relatives who depend on him.
John Wilkinson, defending, said damage was caused to the wing mirror when the car door was slammed.
Mr Wilkinson said Ahmed, a married dad who was self employed and had been a cabbie for 12 years, was driving a vehicle owned by a firm and had to pay for any repairs himself.
Mr Wilkinson added: "It is quite clear he momentarily lost control."
