Moment groom is knocked and run over by rampaging taxi driver on his stag night after a row over the fare as the cabbie is jailed for 14 months for the attack

By Emily Jane Davies[1]

Published: 18:59, 21 December 2023 | Updated: 00:30, 22 December 2023

This is the moment a groom-to-be was left scarred for life when a cabbie deliberately ran him over during his stag night following a row about the fare.

Matt McCarthy and his friends had taken Musum Chowdhury's taxi back to the Kenilworth Hotel in Jesmond, Newcastle, where they were staying after a night out for his stag party in the city last May.

Newcastle Crown Court heard one of the passengers tried to pay by card but Chowdhury said he would only accept cash for the GBP10 fare, so Mr McCarthy was taken to a cashpoint while his pals went into the hotel.

Prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw said Chowdhury then increased the fare from GBP10, to GBP20 and then GBP50.

The court heard when they got back to the Kenilworth after a trip to the cash machine, Mr McCarthy put GBP20 in the centre console then left the cab.

As Mr McCarthy walked away, he heard the sound of 'tyres screeching and wheels spinning' then remembers waking up on the pavement covered in blood.

Taxi driver Musum Chowdhury, who has been jailed for 14 months at Newcastle Crown Court

Shocking CCTV shows Chowdhury deliberately mount the pavement and knock Mr MrCarthy down with a 'heavy blow', then speed away and leave him unconscious on the ground.

Mr McCarthy, who is then bleeding, manages to get up and get help.

The court heard Mr McCarthy was taken to hospital with a wound to the side of his right eye, which will leave a permanent scar, a black eye and grazing on his face.

Chowdhury, 44, of Cumbria Walk, Newcastle, admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving and has been jailed for 14 months, with a three year road ban.

Judge Tim Gittins said as well as the permanent scar, Mr McCarthy has suffered psychological harm.

Judge Gittins told Chowdhury: 'As the CCTV footage shows, you reversed back so that you were ahead of him and then drove at speed, with tyres spinning, mounted the pavement and struck him.

'He can be seen taking a heavy blow. He was knocked to the ground unconscious and then you drove off at speed. You could have killed him.'

Mr Wardlaw told the court Mr McCarthy had booked into the hotel with family and friends for the stag party.

He said: 'He socialised in Newcastle City Centre that evening and at the end of the evening he, together with three friends, went back to the hotel in a taxi driven by the defendant.

'Mr McCarthy sat in the middle rear seat and describes the journey back as normal, no conversation occurred between the defendant and any of the passengers.

The passengers were talking about the evening they had enjoyed.

'At the hotel the defendant said the fare was GBP10 and one of the other passengers tried to make the payment with a card, however the defendant did not accept card payment and wanted cash.

CCTV shows the moment the taxi speeds towards Matt McCarthy

The court heard Mr McCarthy was taken to hospital with a wound to the side of his right eye, which will leave a permanent scar, a black eye and grazing on his face after he was hit

The footage then shows the car speeding away after running over the groom-to-be

'He then stated the fare was GBP20 and Mr McCarthy said he would go to the nearby cashpoint with the defendant and his friends left the taxi and went into the hotel.

'The defendant drove to a nearby cashpoint and Mr McCarthy withdrew GBP20 and got back into the rear of the taxi.

'The defendant then became aggressive, stating the fare was GBP50 and kept repeating 'more'.

'As they arrived back at the hotel Mr McCarth placed the GBP20 in the centre console and asked where the meter was.

'The defendant replied 'it's nothing to do with you' and became more aggressive and locked Mr McCarthy in the taxi.

He responded by saying 'there's GBP20 now let me out and stop taking the p***'.

'The defendant took the money and unlocked the taxi.

'Mr McCarthy began walking away and heard the defendant shout at him through the window he had wound down.

Mr McCarthy ignored the defendant.

'He heard the sound of tyres screeching and his next recollection is waking up on the pavement, covered in blood.

'He has no recollection of what happened.'

The court heard a passing pedestrian had heard the screeching of tyres and saw the taxi hit Mr McCarthy before driving off 'at speed'.

The court heard Chowdhury, who handed in character references, has never been in trouble before, is about to become a father for the third time and sent a letter to court to apologise for the 'moment of madness'.

Christopher Knox, defending, said what happened was 'inexplicable'.

Speaking after the sentencing, PC Steve Scorer of Northumbria Police's Motor Patrols team, said:

'This was a shocking case which saw a licenced taxi driver deliberately collide with an innocent pedestrian walking on the footpath.

'Not only did Chowdhury drive in a dangerous manner, but following the collision, he fled the scene leaving the pedestrian seriously injured.

'It is only sheer luck that the victim did not suffer life-threatening injuries - and I am pleased to see that Chowdhury is now behind bars for his actions.

'This should serve as a timely reminder to any road user who drives in a dangerous or careless manner in our communities.

'As a Force, please know that we will do everything to keep our roads safe for all and put those found to be driving dangerously and flouting the law before the courts.'

References

1. ^ Emily Jane Davies (www.dailymail.co.uk)