Taxi Driver Online

Racism charge against taxi driver is dismissed

MAGISTRATES have thrown out an alleged racially aggravated harassment case against a taxi driver due to insufficient evidence.

Burton Magistrates' CourtMohammed Shabir, 39, of Goodman Street, Horninglow, walked free from Burton Magistrates’ Court yesterday, after a two-and-a-half hour trial for allegedly using threatening words, behaviour, and making racist comments.

The court heard how Frances Furth and her partner Craig Farmer, of The Evergreens, Stretton, and the couple’s babysitter, got in the defendant’s black seven-seater Hackney carriage after an agreed price of £10 was made to go to Stretton and then to Horninglow.

When they arrived in Stretton, however, the passengers decided they did not want to go to Horninglow, but claimed Shabir still tried charging them £10.

Andrew Bodger, prosecuting, said: “Craig went in the house to get his wallet and Frances and the babysitter also got out of the cab.

“They refused to pay the price and Craig rang the firm’s base to complain.

“In the meantime, Shabir allegedly shouted abusively, before further words were exchanged.

“Another comment was made, with Shabir saying ‘Your windows will be put through at 5am.”.

However, Raja Shahzad, defending, said his client was the victim of racial abuse, rather than the perpetrator.

He said: “The £10 was agreed for a double journey and the when they arrived in Stretton, the meter read £6.80.

“The meter is used to save disputes like this.

“My client did not use racial words and it was him that was called a racially obscene name.

“My client became scared when the three people were shouting and swearing and he drive off.”

Presiding magistrate John Gilhooly, said: “From the evidence we’ve heard today, including written statements, a fare was agreed for a double journey.

“The fare was then disputed, along with what happened when the taxi got there, the remarks made, and the threatening behaviour.

“The evidence given does not weigh up with the witness statements, and I am not entirely satisfied this was a racially aggravated incident.

“I therefore dismiss this case.”

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/Racism ... missed.htm

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
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If what they said in court is at odds with what they said in their statements, then the court has no other choice.

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