Friday 21 October 2011

Boozy WPC Driven Into During Mini-Cab Fare Row


A mini-cab driver who reversed into two boozy women - one of whom was an off-duty police officer - when they failed to pay the full fare during a night out in Croydon has been banned for dangerous driving today.

Pakistani father-of-three Hamad Bhatti, 42, had driven the women to their destination and admits in "one moment of madness" reversing into them during the 4am dispute.

Croydon Crown Court (pictured) heard the women threw what money they had onto the front seat, but it was short of the full fare.

First-time offender Bhatti, denied, but was convicted by a jury of dangerous driving and was sentenced to a twelve month community order, including 200 hours community service work and disqualified for a year.

"They were out enjoying themselves and had a few drinks," Recorder Phillip Sapsford QC told Bhatti. "The jury disbelieved you, what you told the jury was not the truth.

"You are now going to look for a new form of work.

"When I first considered this case I thought it was worthy of imprisonment. One of the victims said she could taste blood and felt something warm down her face.

"They were certain you reversed into them."

Bhatti will also have to pass the extended driving test before his licence is returned.

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