Cab Driver Runs Down Passenger Over Fare Row...

Driver Mohammed Javed, 45, ‘used his taxi as a weapon’, driving it straight at passenger Huw Lloyd in an argument over a fare, a court heard.

The impact knocked Mr Lloyd on to the bonnet and he clung on desperately before he was thrown to the ground, suffering head injuries and a broken hand.

Moments earlier, the driver had been  arguing with Mr Lloyd and his friend Polly Nicalaous about the fare for a short journey across Bristol after a night out.

The drama unfolded at 3am on April 25 after the pair had asked Javed if he could take them to nearby Stoke’s Croft for £7.

The driver said he would charge according to the meter and they got in, the court heard.

When the meter reached £6 they asked to be let out but Javed kept driving.

They threatened to call the police unless he stopped, but he kept going, before pulling over in Stoke’s Croft where the meter showed £8, Bristol Crown Court heard.

The passengers told him they would only pay £5 because they had asked him to stop.

Eric Waley, prosecuting, said: ‘Javed got out of his taxi, seemed to put his arm out to stop them leaving and is seen to throw a punch at Mr Lloyd who seems to block it.

'The defendant ran back to his car. Mr Lloyd returned to take a photo on his BlackBerry. 

‘A black cloud of dust can be seen from the wheels spinning where he [Javed] clearly has his foot down on the accelerator.

Javed, of Bristol, admitted dangerous driving and assault causing actual bodily harm.

He was jailed for six months and banned from driving for two years. Recorder Simon Foster told him: ‘It is extraordinary that there was not more injuries caused.’