Maniac taxi driver jailed after mowing down customer over fare
A maniac taxi driver who mowed down a Halesowen man after they argued about the fare has been jailed for four years.
Lee Griffin who had been dropped off in Stourbridge Road near his home had to undergo major surgery after suffering complex fractures to his left shin and knee.
Judge Martin Walsh said Mr Griffin and cabbie Khalil Aziz both believed they were right as their late night argument became extremely heated.
He said it was correct that Mr Griffin had been provocative with his language and manner and he had given Aziz £10 to cover the fare for his taxi ride from a Birmingham nightclub, But as he was running off Aziz “deliberately and intentionally” drove his taxi at him knocking him to the ground and causing very serious injuries.
“I have formed the view this was a spontaneous and impulsive act in the heat of the moment,” the Judge told Aziz at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
Aziz of Hobmoor Croft, Yardley had denied causing grievous bodily harm with intent and driving dangerously but he was convicted on both charges by a jury at the end of his trial.
Miss Elizabeth Power defending Aziz, a 44 year old father of five and a man with no previous convictions maintained he had acted completely out of character.
She stressed there had been a degree of provocation and said the behaviour of Aziz was impulsive after some verbal abuse and the slamming of his cab door.
The trial had been told Mr Griffin got into the taxi outside the Nightingale Nightclub so he could be taken back to Halesowen.
The nightclub had a discount scheme for its customers with the taxi firm that employed Aziz and Mr Griffin felt he was entitled to money off for the ride.
But an “unpleasant” argument then ensued with Aziz who was also disqualified from driving for four years telling the jury that Mr Griffin sustained his injuries when he kicked his taxi.
source:
http://www.halesowennews.co.uk/news/
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