Driver denies causing bodily harm

Grant Parfitt, 19, fell from the black cab as it drove with the doors open in Bristol city centre last December.

Taxi driver Yasir Al-Kauraishi, 40, said he drove off because he thought Mr Parfitt and his friends were going to attempt to leave without paying.

Mr Al-Kauraishi, of Eden Grove, Horfield, denies causing bodily harm by wanton and furious driving.

The jury were told Mr Parfitt and five friends hailed the cab to take them from the Hippodrome theatre to a lap dancing club.

'Hitting partition'

Even though his cab was only licensed to hold five, Mr Al-Kauraishi agreed to take six in exchange for extra money, the court heard.

But when they reached their destination, Mr Al-Kauraishi allegedly drove off without warning as the group left the vehicle, leaving Mr Parfitt and two friends inside.

Prosecutor William Hunter said: "He didn't react to their pleas to stop. They tried to get his attention by hitting the partition."

The court heard Mr Parfitt and two friends were left inside the cab and Al-Kauraishi allegedly drove quickly, not slowing down for corners with the taxi swinging from side to side.

Mr Hunter said: "He (Al-Kauraishi) says he drove in that way to make them lose their balance."

A witness described Mr Parfitt being "flung" through the open door, Mr Hunter said.

The teenager suffered serious head and brain injuries as a result, the jury was told.

Mr Al-Kauraishi told police he "feared for his safety" as Mr Parfitt's friends hit and smashed the taxi's partition.

He said the group "disagreed" over the £7.40 fare and he was given the impression they were not going to pay.

In his police interview he claimed one of the group tried to grab the hand brake.

Mr Al-Kauraishi also denies a separate charge of dangerous driving after a disagreement with passengers in Henbury, Bristol, on 17 December last year.

The trial continues.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
HM Courts Service
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites