Taxi driver who caused Walsall pensioner's broken arm given driving ban
A ‘momentary lapse of judgment ‘ by a taxi driver, who attempted to drive off whilst a passenger was still trying to get in, led to devastating effects.
Wolverhampton Crown Court heard taxi driver Syed Shah was not aware that one of the passengers he was picking up after a night out at a social club in Bloxwich on May 12 2023 was still trying to get into the cab.
But Lily Johnson, aged 85 was knocked over by the impact, even though the court heard Shah ‘had only driven less than a yard.’
The court heard her friend, Christine Price was already in the vehicle, in Harrison Street, Bloxwich, and Shah thought his other passenger was in the back when in reality she only had one foot in the vehicle.
He stopped and helped Mrs Johnson before taking her back home and although she appeared shaken there were no visible injuries.
It was not until she presented herself at Walsall Manor Hospital three days later that doctors discovered she had fractured her arm as well as bruising to her leg and shoulder.
What appeared to be superficial injuries led to her ‘losing her independence’ and having to move in with her daughter, the court heard, with her now suffering from restricted movement.
A Victim Personal Statement read out to the court said simple tasks like undressing, showering or going to the toilet had become difficult and she would have to have help with these.
It said: “I have gone from being a fit and healthy person to being dependent on others and have been left a very different person.”
The court heard Shah, aged 44, who had been a taxi driver licensed by Walsall Council since 2017 with no blemishes on his record, had seen his licence suspended and not being able to work meant the family, including his young child had accrued debt.
Darron Whitehead, defending, said: “It was a momentary lapse of concentration and he did his best to help Mrs Johnson in all ways possible - he accepts he should have checked before driving off, albeit the wheel had not even turned one full circle.”
But Recorder G Kelly said the lapse of concentration had grave implications for Mrs Johnson, who had she been younger may not have been as badly injured, or could have recovered more easily.
He accepted Shah had no intention of causing the injury and had done all he could to help when he realised what had happened, including taking the two friends home, plus the loss of earnings incurred by not being able to work.
Shah, of Curtin Drive, Darlaston was given a 12 month community order, a year’s ban from driving and 15 days rehabilitation activity requirement. He was also ordered to do 100 hours unpaid work.