Huw Lloyd was left with head injuries and a fractured hand after taxi driver Muhammed Javed drove into him, forcing him on to the bonnet, at which point he continued to drive for 30m before dumping him on to the ground.
Bristol Crown Court heard how Lloyd, who had gotten into the taxi with friend Polly Nicalaous, had asked to be dropped off when the meter reached £6 but that Javed had continued to drive.
An argument then ensued which escalated when Lloyd tried to take a photo of the taxi’s number plate on his mobile phone. He was stopped in his tracks however when Javed revved his engine and drove at him.
Prosecutor Eric Whaley said: “When the meter reached £6 they asked to be let out but the defendant continued to drive. Miss Nicalaous said they would call the police unless he stopped and he pulled over when the fare showed £8. They said they would only pay him £5 as they had asked him to stop and he hadn’t.
“He started the engine and jolted the car forward on a couple of occasions causing Mr Lloyd to put his hands on the bonnet.”
Recorder Simon Foster said: “It’s quite plain that you deliberately used your taxi as a weapon. You drove deliberately at someone stood right in front of your vehicle.”
Mr Javed pleaded guilty to both dangerous driving and causing actual bodily harm and was given a custodial sentence.
He was also banned from driving for two years.
Picture: Avon and Somerset Police.
