Taxi driver stamped on annoying customer and broke his leg

A taxi driver kicked a "difficult and abusive" passenger out of his car and left him with a broken leg. Samsun Noor stamped on his fare as he lay on the ground after he had drunkenly stumbled out of the vehicle, leaving him with serious injuries which required surgery.

Liverpool Crown Court heard yesterday, Wednesday September 3, that complainant Graham Trevor had been drinking at a friend's house on Borough Road in Birkenhead at around 1am on April 25 last year when a taxi was called to take him home. He was said to have had "difficulty walking" to the defendant's car when it arrived and was parked across the street from the address.

Graham Pickavance, prosecuting, described how this led to a "dispute" with Noor, who demanded payment upfront. Mr Trevor handed over a £10 note and the vehicle then set off and travelled for around five minutes.

READ MORE: His jumper was left stained with tears after he finally confessed to his crimes

READ MORE: His 'curiosity and stupidity' led him straight into a prison cell

But the customer continued to behave "aggressively" and was told to get out of the taxi near to Pyramids Shopping Centre, having accrued a fare of £4.20. He was "reluctant" to leave the car but did so after "grabbing" the cash back from Noor, who had opened the door in order to assist his departure.

Mr Trevor however fell to the ground at the rear of the vehicle, at which point the driver stamped on his leg. He then got back into the taxi and drove off.

The injured passenger was later taken to Arrowe Park Hospital, where it was discovered that he had sustained a broken tibia. He subsequently underwent surgery as a result of this fracture.

Noor, of Larch Road in Birkenhead, was arrested at home the following morning. Under interview, he told detectives that he "didn't do anything" but said Mr Trevor was "clearly drunk".

The 47-year-old has no previous convictions. Stuart Mills, defending, told the court: "There is a lot that can be said about him. His remorse appears to be genuine. He could not have anticipated the level of injury."

Noor admitted wounding without intent. Appearing in the dock wearing a grey suit, he was handed a 12-month imprisonment suspended for two years plus 80 hours of unpaid work and a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 20 days.

Sentencing, Judge Garrett Byrne said: "You were faced with a difficult, volatile and abusive customer when you picked him up in your taxi. You ordered him to leave, which was understandable in all the circumstances.

"He did leave but you then stamped on his leg, causing very serious injuries. You did not intend to cause serious injury, nor was it easy to foresee that such an injury would result from what you did.

"You do have powerful mitigation. You are a man of good character. You were acting under a degree of provocation. You are remorseful. Your licence has been revoked.

"Prison will have a significant impact on your family. I accept that you and your family have had some difficult times in recent years. You are assessed as being a low risk of reoffending.

"It seems to me that there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation. The only question is whether the offence is so serious that only immediate imprisonment can be justified. I take the view that it can be suspended."