A motorist who hit out at a bus driver with an iro

A motorist who hit out at a bus driver with an iron bar
after a trivial row in traffic has been ordered to do 60 hours
community service.

The driver, Mr David Neal leant out his window and asked
father-of-three Bashir Kashmiri, (correct) 38, to give way so he
could stop to pick up passengers.

But irate Kashmiri responded by picking up a two foot long iron
bar and taking violent swipes at the 33-year-old driver, Snaresbrook
Crown Court heard.

A jury found Kashmiri, of Lammas Avenue, Mitcham, Surrey,
guilty of affray.

Judge Geoffrey Grigson had adjourned sentence but after reading
reports decided to impose a community service order as a ‘direct

alternative’ to custody.

The jury had heard that on January 4 this year Mr Neal, a
driver with 13 years experience, wanted to pick up passengers at a
stop in Green Street, Upton Park.

But the task was made difficult because Kashmiri was obstructing

in the bus in his Sierra Saloon, said Mr Sam Katkhuda, prosecuting.

Mr Neal sounded his horn but when Kashmiri refused to budge he
had word with the stubborn motorist.

After a heated verbal exchange Kashmiri ‘picked up an iron bar
and tried to get out of his car,’ said counsel.

But Mr Neal put his foot against the door to stop him while
shocked passengers in the number 162 bus sat watching.

The court heard when Kashmiri appeared to calm down Mr Neal
moved away from the door.

‘But he got out and approached the victim and started waving the
iron bar towards his face,’ continued counsel.

It was only when an Asian passser-by intervened that Mr Neal
could return to his bus.

Mr Neal then pleaded once more for Kashmiri to give him some
room.

The jury heard that while he was alongside the Sierra, Kashmiri
again brandished the bar and smashed it into the side of the bus.

Police were eventually called to deal with the aggressive
motorist who they stopped nearby.

Officers had to forcibly remove the struggling student from his
car before arresting him.

Kashmiri told the jury he was not causing an obstruction
and claimed Mr Neal had threatened him and called him a ‘Paki.

‘
The married man told the jury that the only point at which he
struck out with the bar was on the ‘spur of the moment’ when he
thought Mr Neal was going to ram his car.

But the jury rejected his story and convicted him of affay.

ends
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