Cabbie attacked in Burnley over fare (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Cabbie attacked in Burnley over fare

6:00pm Thursday 21st May 2009

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A CABBIE was attacked, kept in a locked farmyard and threatened in a row over a fare, a court was told.

Rashid Mahmood said painter and decorator William Poole told him he would be shot if he called the police, that the defendant's dog would eat him and that he would have to climb over the gates to get away, Burnley magistrates heard.

The court heard how Mahmood had his back slapped, was punched near his kidney and racially insulted in the late-night trouble.

Poole, 32, of Manchester Road, Burnley, admitted racially aggravated common assault and possessing cannabis. The court was told the prosecution and defence versions of what went on differed and he was bailed until a trial over the facts on July 30.

Christiana Buchanan, prose-cuting, said Mr Mahmood had been left very frightened by the ordeal and after driving away needed to pull over to get over the shock. He contacted his base and was told to go straight to the police station.

Poole was later arrested and made offensive remarks about taxi drivers. Police found cannabis in his sock.

The defendant was questioned and claimed he believed the victim was trying to cheat him. He accepted he punched Mr Mahmood twice through his open car window and admitted shouting racist remarks. He denied making any threats.

Philip Turner, defending, said Poole went each week to the Mason's Arms, Crawshawbooth, used the same taxi firm to get home and the fare was usually £8.

When he was picked up, there was no discussion about the fare and he expected to be charged what he always paid. The taxi driver had told police Poole was in good spirits and there was no aggression towards him during the journey.

Mr Turner said Poole lived with his father and the farm had electric gates which were con-trolled with a fob. They shut automatically after entry. The defendant offered the driver £10 but Mr Mahmood was screaming at him for £14.

Poole would say his behaviour was not racially motivated, but it was racially aggravated.

The solicitor said Poole was annoyed with the driver and felt he was being cheated. The defendant accepted he made racial references and also punched the driver's shoulder.

Poole, who did not have any violence or public disorder offe-nces to his name, said he let Mr Mahmood out of the gates and he was not kept against his will. The behaviour was out of character and he had been out of order.

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