RAHMAN: GARAGE OWNER RAMMED CUSTOMER

An enraged garage owner rammed a disgruntled customer twice with his car in a dispute over an unpaid bill, a court heard.

Waheed Rahman, 27, ripped a part out of Ghulam Mustafa’s car and refused to let him drive away after they fell out over a £180 payment.

Mr Mustafa was left needing months of physiotherapy after Rahman then drove into him, trapping him between two vehicles, a jury was told at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

The bus driver had taken his car to Rahman’s garage, JJ Autos on Carpenter’s Road, Stratford, east London, for a new engine to be fitted.

Mr Christopher Kerr, prosecuting, said: ‘A dispute arose about how much the engine would cost.

‘What happened then is that Mr Mustafa went to pick up his car on May 26 and the defendant wanted to stop him from taking the car.

‘The defendant pulled out the distributor so it could no longer be driven, and said he couldn’t have it until he had paid more money.

‘The police were called and advised Mr Mustafa it was a civil matter and that he would have to get his vehicle towed away and pursue matters in the civil courts.

‘Mr Mustafa called a friend to come and tow the car away, then went and sat in his car.

‘What happened then, say the prosecution, is that the defendant got in another car over the other side of the road and deliberately drove at Mr Mustafa’s car, striking it and causing damage.

‘The defendant then reversed and Mr Mustafa began to get out of his car. The defendant the drove forward making contact with the car and trapping Mr Mustafa between the door and car frame.’

Mr Mustafa, who gave evidence through an interpreter, said that his injuries had made it difficult to work as a bus driver and he had received four months of physiotherapy.

He said that the dispute had in part been because Rahman would not give him a receipt.

‘From the first day when I paid he was refusing to give a receipt. He didn’t want to give me a receipt and in front of the police he said it was at home and he would give it me tomorrow.’

Rahman, of (263) Carpenter’s Road, Stratford, denies dangerous driving and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in May 2003.

The trial continues.

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