Taxi Driver Online

'Street justice' after cab row

A MAN who rowed with a taxi driver was seriously injured after the cabbie's colleagues meted out their own 'street justice,' a court was told.

Blackburn magistrates heard that when police arrived on the scene David Thomas Cambridge was on the floor surrounded by taxi drivers.

Stephen Parker, defending, said his client had been kicked about the head and body by the men, who had "detained" him.

Cambridge was off work for more than three weeks as a result, the court was told.

Cambridge, 19, of Hardman Close, Knuzden, pleaded guilty to causing £100 worth of damage to a car belonging to Liquat Ali and using threatening behaviour towards him. He was fined £200 and ordered to pay £100 compensation and £50 costs.

Tom Snape, prosecuting, said Mr Ali had picked up Cambridge and another youth and was taking them to Knuzden and Shadsworth. He requested payment en route and stopped at a garage cash machine so they could get some cash.

"The cashpoint wasn't working and when he said he was taking them back to town things got a little unpleasant," said Mr Snape.

"They got out of the taxi and both men were abusive before they both started kicking the car. Mr Ali was very scared as both men were being very aggressive."

Mr Parker said the other youth, who had been dealt with by way of a caution, had cash at home with which he intended to pay the taxi fare.

He said that after Mr Ali raised the alarm via his radio a certain amount of summary justice had been administered.

"People are entitled to make a citizen's arrest but they have got to use only reasonable force," said Mr Parker.

"While he was on the floor my client was kicked to the head and back and as a result he has been off work for over three weeks.

"Whatever he had done didn't give the other taxi drivers the right to deliver street justice."

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IDFIMH