Court told of couple's terrifying taxi ride after night out

Adam Link and April Bithell said they asked their driver to slow down several times over the journey from Bridgnorth towards Ditton Priors.

The taxi driver, Mohammed Chowdhury, alleged that the crash only happened because Mr Link, the front seat passenger pulled on the handbrake.

But officers who attended the scene of the accident in August 2014 said Chowdhury had made no such claim to them.

Chowdhury, 46, of Star Band Road, Birmingham, was found guilty at Telford Magistrates Court of careless driving at an earlier hearing and was fined £460 with £620 costs and £45 victim surcharge.

He was also given six penalty points on his licence.

His appeal against the conviction was heard at Shrewsbury Crown Court.

Mr Link and Miss Bithell said they had been out in Bridgnorth one night in August last year and got into Chowdhury's taxi to go home at about 2am.

Mr Link, who said he had drunk nine or 10 pints, said he asked the driver to slow down twice and Miss Bithell had asked the same four or five times.

"All he replied was 'OK boss' but did not slow down," Mr Link said.

"As we went down the hill toward the bridge, the car slid, hit the bridge and ended up in a layby," Mr Link added.

Miss Bithell said she noticed the speedometer reading 50/60 miles an hour which she said was too fast for the narrow country road and the weather conditions.

Police called to the scene said Chowdhury had not mentioned the handbrake to them. He only brought it up when he was interviewed two months later.

Chowdhury told the court that he had first refused to take the couple in his car because Mr Link was drunk.

He said he only changed his mind because Miss Bithell was crying and upset and he had driven cautiously.

"He argued with me and was abusive," Chowdhury said.

"He was swearing at me and then he pulled up the handbrake. I wanted to call the police but I had no signal."

Miss Bithell said that had not happened. She said Chowdhury had tried to restart the car but couldn't because the crash had popped the driveshaft.

Mr Regan Peggs, for Chowdhury, said his client had been given a large number of letters from people complimenting him on his taxi driving.

He said his licence had been suspended by the council pending the appeal.

Judge Judge Robin Onions, sitting with magistrates, told Chowdhury that his evidence was inconsistent and that he had not mentioned the handbrake to the police officers who were called to the accident.

His appeal was dismissed and at Friday's appeal hearing he was told he would have to pay a further £330 costs.

A couple have told a court of a terrifying taxi ride from Bridgnorth in rain and fog which ended when the car hit a bridge.

Adam Link and April Bithell asked the driver to slow down several times over the journey towards Ditton Priors.

The taxi driver, Mohammed Chowdhury, alleged that the crash only happened because Mr Link, the front seat passenger pulled on the handbrake.

But, during an appeal against conviction at Shrewsbury Crown Court, Judge Robin Onions, sitting with magistrates, told Chowdhury that his evidence was inconsistent and that he had not mentioned the handbrake to the police officers who were called to the accident.

The appeal was dismissed.