Taxi Driver Online

May 15, 2007 Tuesday

Taxi driver did not deliberately run over man

South Wales Argus

A NEWPORT taxi driver was cleared of causing grievous bodily harm to a passenger by deliberately running him over.

A jury decided the collision involving a taxi driven by Dilawar Hussain, of Trinity Place, Pillgwenlly, and Rhys Twomey, had been accidental. A tearful Mr Hussain was yesterday acquitted of causing GBH with intent, an alternative charge of GBH, and dangerous driving.

The court had heard earlier how Mr Twomey, 24, and two friends had been drinking in Newport city centre until the early hours of November 5, 2006.

They hailed Mr Hussain's black cab in Skinner Street, but there was confusion between the driver and passengers over the destination given.

The three men got out on a slip road off the A472 near Pontypool, and one of them left.

Mr Hussain had alleged that during the journey Mr Twomey's friend, Lee Edwards, became aggressive and racially abused him.

When Mr Edwards began pulling at a rear door handle, shouting that he wanted to be taken to Caerleon, Mr Hussain drove off, fearing he would be attacked.

As he did so, Mr Twomey fell in front of the Hackney carriage and was dragged under the wheels, according to the defendant.

The jury rejected the prosecution's claim that Mr Hussain, a married father-of-four, had used the car "as a weapon" to deliberately injure the complainant.

Mr Twomey was rushed to the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport where he spent three nights being treated for a fractured vertebra, two fractures to his collarbone, and multiple cuts and bruises.

Judge David Norris said Mr Twomey had since made a full recovery.

Earlier in the four-day trial, Mr Hussain, originally from Pakistan, said he left the scene of the accident because he feared "the boys would hit me".
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