Taxi Driver Online

Taxi driver threatened to 'slice' bailiff who clamped his car before bringing out kitchen knife

A taxi driver threatened to "slice" a court bailiff who clamped his car before producing a knife, a court has heard.

Mohammed Ali, 44, became "aggressive" towards bailiff Lee Johnson and started to kick and bang on his van during the incident at his home in St Mellons, Cardiff, on October 23, 2019.

On Friday, Cardiff Crown Court heard how Mr Johnson had knocked on the taxi driver's door and shouted through his letterbox before Ali appeared "extremely irate".

Nigel Fryer, prosecuting, said the bailiff returned to his van and Ali shouted words to the effect of "I am going to slice you or stab you".

Ali then went into his house and returned with a six inch kitchen knife and proceeded to "bang and punch" the van before the police were called.

The incident was caught in footage from Mr Johnson's body-worn camera but it was noted there was no indication Ali intended to harm the bailiff with the knife.

During the hearing, it was heard Ali had ignored court letters about an unpaid magistrates' court fine of just over £700, causing bailiffs to attend.

Mr Recorder Simon Mills described the incident as short-lived but said Ali lost his temper due to fear of losing the taxi - either because it represented his livelihood or because the vehicle did not belong to him.

Representing the defendant, David Singh described Ali as a hard-working father-of-six, who gave up his time to volunteer in the Butetown community as an ambassador of the Tiger Bay youth club.

A reference submitted by a Butetown councillor explained how he had known Ali for many years and described him as "respectful" and someone with strong community values.

Mr Singh said: "He is clearly hardworking, cares for his family and brings up his children."

Ahead of the hearing, Ali, of Coleford Drive, pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article and using threatening behaviour under section four of the public order act.

Sentencing, the recorder said Ali's taxi licence will now be reviewed by the licensing authority.

He said: "You are a man with a lot of family responsibility, you have six children and you will be terrified of what will happen with your job. Unfortunately you have brought that on your own head."

He added: "It would be my hope that the taxi licensing authority sees this as a serious incident but an isolated incident and that there is no suggestion you have ever harmed a passenger or done anything improper and indecent within your duties as a taxi driver."

Ali was handed a seven month sentence, suspended for 18 months as well as 120 hours of unpaid community work and 10 days of rehabilitation activity.

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IDFIMH

Clearly the Recorder isn't that up on taxi licensing law, and DfT Best Practise Guidance.

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IDFIMH

I bet he's already started work delivering takeaways

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector