A businessman who rammed a cyclist off the road in retaliation for a damaged wing mirror avoids prison time following a court ruling.
The Road Rage Incident
On February 5, 2022, cyclist Wadea Taibi rode down Moscow Road in Bayswater, west London. A silver Mercedes driven by Asif Laher, 55, from Watford, Hertfordshire, pulled directly in front of him, forcing Taibi to stop.
The two exchanged heated words, with Laher banging his steering wheel, swearing, and acting aggressively. Taibi attempted to pull away the wing mirror, which broke, though he insists he did not intend to cause damage.
Fearing for his safety, Taibi pedaled away rapidly. Laher revved his engine and pursued, ultimately colliding with the bicycle’s rear using his car’s bonnet. Taibi recalls lying on the ground with a woman standing over him.
Injuries and Long-Term Effects
Emergency services rushed Taibi to St Mary’s Hospital trauma unit. He sustained lacerations to his left ear, wrists, and right ankle, plus bruising and swelling on his head and ears, with debris in his ear canal.
In his victim impact statement, Taibi describes ongoing issues: “I have issues with my back. It’s never been quite right since the incident. My lower back still aches every day. I get shooting pain down my legs every day.” He also reports dizziness, memory problems, sleep disturbances, and a 1.5-inch scar on his forehead.
Taibi adds, “I have stopped doing a lot of things… I haven’t cycled since the incident. It is something I used to love doing.”
Court Outcome
Laher pleaded guilty to causing injury by dangerous driving at Southwark Crown Court. Prosecutor Andrew Judge described the pursuit as “a deliberate course of dangerous driving.”
Defense lawyer John Kearney portrayed Laher as “otherwise a very decent individual” whose business would collapse with imprisonment, impacting employees.
Judge Ian Bourne KC noted case delays and reviewed CCTV footage, stating: “It is apparent that the cyclist actually came on the outside of your car… interfered with your wing mirror and he broke your wing mirror and then left the scene… You then pursued him in your car at speed. The bonnet of your car collided with the rear of the cycle.”
Laher receives a 20-month suspended sentence, 30 days of rehabilitation, 200 days of unpaid work, £1,600 compensation to Taibi, and a two-year driving ban.
