A TAXI driver from Worcester has lost his licence after overtaking a car on a dangerous bend and almost crashing into a police car.
However, Iqbal Shahzad, who was banned from driving for one year after admitting dangerous driving, said he had to drive in such a manner because he feared for his safety from three drunken passengers he was taking to Evesham.
Suzanne Llewellyn, prosecuting, told Worcester Magistrates Court that in the early hours of Sunday March 9, Shahzad was driving the men home along the A44 after a night out in Worcester.
She said he overtook a car as they were travelling around a tight right hand bend near Wood Norton even though the road was marked with solid double white lines.
A police car was travelling in the opposite direction and Shahzad had to turn his Hackney cab sharply back into the left-hand lane to avoid a collision.
Defence solicitor, Charles Hamer said, the 27-year-old father of two was frightened about the possibility of being assaulted.
"He picked up three men who were all intoxicated," said Mr Hamer.
"They were behaving themselves at first but as time went on during the journey from Worcester to Evesham they stopped behaving so reasonably."
He said that there have been incidents in the past where taxi drivers have been victims of assault from the hands of their clients.
"It is the Asian drivers who have suffered the most," said Mr Hamer.
"Mr Shahzad decided the best thing he could do is get the men to their destination as soon as possible and collect the fare."
He added that Shahzad, from Cherwell Close, Tolladine, was the sole provider for his family and that losing his licence would mean losing his job.
The chairman of the magistrates said he had some sympathy with the defendant's situation.
"This is a serious offence and we have considered very carefully the mitigation. The main punishment is the loss of your income and the loss of your job," he said.
The magistrates also fined him £250 and ordered him to pay costs of £60.
The magistrates said that because he had lost his livelihood the fine had been reduced as much as possible.
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