Cabbie broke his victim's nose
A TAXI driver broke a fellow cabbie's nose in a dispute over money, a court heard.
Ali Shamseldin headbutted Jalil Mohammad at the taxi rank outside Bristol Hippodrome, the city's Crown Court was told yesterday.
Mr Mohammad had to have his nose manipulated back into shape under anaesthetic after the single blow, the court was told.
Shamseldin, 48, of Ropewalk House, River Street, St Jude's, was found guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm after a trial in November last year.
The recorder Mr Richard Smith QC gave Shamseldin a one-year community order and ordered him to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £300 court costs.
James Haskell, prosecuting, said the assault occurred in broad daylight in August, 2010.
He said Shamseldin was of previous good character.
Darren Burleigh, defending, told the court: "It was a one-off head butt. It was spontaneous, it wasn't pre-meditated. They know each other through both being taxi drivers and it was in daylight hours, outside the Bristol Hippodrome. There is no evidence it was seen by passing members of the public."
Mr Burleigh said his client had two young sons aged five and six and he was anxious to reclaim his good name in his community.
He said: "His licence has not been withdrawn for being a taxi driver. He has been working. He was off work through the stress of the case. His licence will have to be reviewed by the licensing authority."
Mr Burleigh said it was his client's wish to provide for his family. He cited references in which people described Shamseldin as a good man who had had a problem with one individual.
Sentencing him, the recorder recognised Shamseldin was a man who had the ability to find work, but told him: "It was a stupid stance – the evidence was overwhelming."
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