A ROAD rage taxi driver has been spared jail after breaking a motorist's arm with a wheel wrench.

Bolton Crown Court heard how Tabbasum Majid flew into a rage after finding himself behind a BMW in St Helens Road, Bolton, on June 16 last year.

The BMW driver, Junaid Haji, had been driving along the road at an estimated 20mph.

"His perceived sin was to be proceeding slowly because he was looking for a particular shop he was hoping to visit," said Graham Robinson, prosecuting.

But Majid, who had his five-year-old son in his Saab car, took exception to Mr Haji's driving.

"He immediately gave the finger to those in Mr Haji's vehicle and then made an overtaking manoeuvre, which Mr Haji says was dangerous," said Mr Robinson.

Mr Haji sounded his horn, but then Majid gesticulated and cut in front of the BMW, forcing both vehicles to a halt.

Majid then jumped out of his car armed with a wrench.

"There was an exchange of words in which Mr Haji remained calm," said Mr Robinson, but added that Majid was boastful and arrogant and the two men became involved in a scuffle.

Mr Haji held up his arm to defend himself, but Majid brought down the wrench "with considerable force" said Mr Robinson.

The victim's arm was broken and needed surgery to insert a metal plate.

Judge Graeme Smith was told how the two men continued to fight. Mr Haji was punched and fell into a car which was being driven past and dented it.

Police were called and arrested Majid.

"Is he going to be arrested too?" Majid is said to have demanded and Mr Robinson said he continued to be arrogant when he was taken to the police station, complaining about being kept waiting.

"He appeared to take the view that he was the victim," said Mr Robinson.

The court heard that Mr Haji, who had his mother and two brothers in his car with him, has recovered from his injury.

"His greatest distress was that it happened in front of his family, particularly his mother who was crying because she was scared by what she observed," said Mr Robinson.

Majid, aged 39, of Eldercot Road, Daubhill, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm and the court heard he has no recent previous convictions,

Mark Friend, defending, stressed that Majid, who worked as a driver for Manchester based New Moon taxis, had the wrench in the back passenger footwell of his car as he had been using it on the vehicle several days beforehand and had not intended to attack Mr Haji.

"This was clearly an incident that developed in the spur of the moment. There was no pre-planning," said Mr Friend.

He added that father-of-four Majid, who has been a taxi driver for 15 years, has now lost his private hire licence and his job.

Judge Smith sentenced Majid to 21 months in prison, suspended for two years and ordered him to do 240 hours unpaid work.

The judge told him: "Anyone who spends any period of time driving around a city certainly learns to put up with other people's driving they find objectionable."

He added that, although Majid felt he had been a victim, he was the one who had used a weapon.

"It was, in my judgement, completely unprovoked and unacceptable," said Judge Smith.

In addition to the sentence, Majid was ordered to pay £500 compensation and £500 towards prosecution costs.