Shahrokh Wahedi, 42, was driving 19-year-old Ryan Spolton from Bourne Airfield to The Grafton Centre in Cambridge on October 17 when he was attacked.
Mr Wahedi, who has been a taxi driver in the city for three years, told the News: "I've been in shock, it makes me feel bad about my job and people attacking me for no reason.
"I feel uncomfortable working at night and I feel like something is going to happen to me. I've got cameras up in my car and I get support from my doctor but I don't trust anyone anymore. It's put me off being a taxi driver but I have to earn money. It's scarred me for life."
He added: "There was nothing that I did wrong. I don't know why people do this sort of thing to people like taxi drivers, people who are innocent just going out earning money for their family. It's surprising that in a place like Cambridge, where people send their children to university, that something like this can happen here."
Spolton, of Greenhaze Lane, Great Cambourne, pleaded guilty via video link at Cambridge Crown Court to attempted robbery and threatening a person with a weapon in a public place.
The court heard that Spolton was relatively quiet when he first got into the vehicle, but when the taxi reached James Street in Cambridge – just half a mile and a four minute drive from The Grafton – he grabbed Mr Wahedi by the throat, asked "where's the money?" and stabbed a craft knife into his cheek.
Lindsay Cox, prosecuting, said the driver was still driving at the time and beeped his horn erratically to try to scare the defendant. This was successful and Spolton got out the car and fled.
Hospital notes revealed the craft knife had fully penetrated Mr Wahedi's cheek and the court was told he often struggled with drink oozing from the wound.
A victim impact statement from Mr Wahedi said he still suffers from "considerable pain" and has trouble drinking, eating and sleeping after the incident.
The statement also described how the victim was now scared of driving in Cambridge and had taken time off work.
Mr Cox added: "The defendant sent text messages to his friends just after the incident saying he was in a 'sticky situation'.
"He said he was covered in a man's blood and that he didn't think the man was still alive. The defendant also said he needed a lift as soon as possible."
Benedict Peers, mitigating, said Spolton suffered from money problems and was of previous good character with only two other minor offences to his name. He added the attack was unplanned and that "Spolton's age did not reflect his maturity".
He explained how Spolton's family were in court on the day of his sentencing and were willing to support him whatever the outcome.
Handing down the sentence, Judge Jonathan Haworth said: "This was a terrifying and unnecessary assault on a man who's only aim was to serve the public. He has now been left scared of essentially doing his job."
Spolton was given a total of three years in a young offenders' institution.
Following the sentencing, Mr Wahedi said: "I was expecting something around that but perhaps a little bit more – four or five years – but obviously maybe the law says three years, and I will agree with that. The person admitted that he did it and he knows his mistake and what he's done wrong.
"Hopefully he will learn from his lesson."
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Cambridge-taxi-driver-scarred-life-knife-attack/story-28308585-detail/story.html
---------------------------------------
BIRMINGHAM
Police hunt driver of car that smashed into iron railings after ramming back of taxi
A taxi driver who was rammed by a car which was allegedly racing has spoken of his terror.
A grey Honda was left hanging on roadside railings in the smash in Nechells Parkway - and its driver fled the scene.
Taxi driver Amjad Ali, 42, suffered injuries to his face, neck and chest and was left in shock following the crash.
Police have confirmed they are hunting for the driver of the other car.
He said that three or four cars overtook him at speeds of about 80 miles an hour before the Honda crashed into the back of his taxi.
It then span around and went backwards into the fence, ending on top of the railings in the spectacular crash.
He told the Mail: “These boy racers were overtaking me at crazy speeds as I was driving away from the city centre.
“They must have been doing 80, maybe 90 miles an hour.
“Suddenly this car rammed into the back of my taxi.
“It was terrifying. I was in complete shock.
“Luckily I didn’t have any passengers at the time.”
Photographs of the aftermath show the Honda resting on top of the metal railings and significant damage to the rear of both cars.
A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: “An incident involving two vehicles on Nechells Parkway was reported to us at 11.10pm on Saturday.
“Efforts are being made to locate the driver of the Honda.
“The offending vehicle has been recovered and has been taken to a police compound.
“The council has also been informed about the damage to the railings.”
Anyone who saw the man fleeing the scene is urged to call the duty inspector at Birmingham South Police on 101.
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/police-hunt-driver-car-smashed-10556682
No comments:
Post a Comment