A gym instructor accused of trying to rob a cabbie

A gym instructor accused of trying to rob a cabbie at knifepoint told an Old Bailey jury the charges are ‘just madness’.

Darren Blackford, 34, claimed he produced a pocket knife to show his pal as they were riding in a taxi driven by alleged victim Pahlevam Khan.

He denied demanding money, threatening him and holding the blade to his throat.

But giving evidence Blackford admitted losing his temper with Mr Khan and banging his fist on the dashboard after the cab driver took a wrong turn.

The court has heard Blackford and his friend visited Airport Cabs, in Tooting Broadway, on November 10, last year and asked to be taken to Clapham Junction.

It is alleged he held a knife to Mr Khan’s throat and demanded to be driven to a cash point after saying he hated whites and Muslims.

He then kissed the blade three times and said: ‘It’s my brother.

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But Blackford told the court: ‘I had bought the knife the day before for my own safety.

‘I was aware that a man who had been having an affair with the mother of my child was out of prison.

‘I took the knife out of my pocket to show my friend before I put it away again.

At no stage did I threaten him – though I did get angry.

‘He turned right when I wanted to go straight on and so I started banging my fist on the dashboard and shouting at him.

‘I never said I hate Muslims or whites.

I never demanded money.

And I didn’t start kissing the knife.

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The court has heard that Mr Khan spotted a parked police car and began shouting for help.

But Blackford said: ‘He got out and started shouting he’s got a knife.

I threw my knife out of the window because I knew I shouldn’t have it.

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He was arrested for attempted robbery and released on bail under the condition not to go to Airport Cars where Mr Khan worked, jurors heard.

But one week later he was twice seen loitering around Mr Khan’s parked car staring up at the cab office windows, it is alleged.

Giving his explanation Blackford said: ‘I was in the vicinity because that’s where my local pub is.

‘I wouldn’t know what his car looks like, and until I saw Mr Khan in court today – I wouldn’t have know what he looked like.

‘I was not trying to intimidate him.

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Blackford, of Seven Sisters Road, South Tottenham, denies attempted robbery and two charges of intimidating a witness.

The trial continues.

ends