Man jailed over fatal taxi base fight over £60 fare
A man has today been sentenced to seven years in prison after a man died following a fight at a taxi base in Nechells last year. Ibrahim Osman (pictured above), aged 18, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the second day of a murder trial which started at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday 3 December.
Police were called to Embassy Taxis on Oliver Street on the evening of Friday 26 May following reports that a man had been assaulted and knocked unconscious. Rahat Saeed, aged 37, was taken to hospital with a head injury. He continued to be treated until 4 June when he sadly died.
Detective Sergeant Tim Longbottom, from the force’s homicide team, said: “Mr Osman appears to have become involved in a customer’s disagreement with the taxi firm over some money left in a cab. Osman got into another taxi and went with the customer to the taxi base demanding the £60. He got into a heated argument with Mr Saeed, a fight broke out and he was hit several times, knocking him unconscious."
“Mr Saeed was taken to hospital and received treatment. However, he tragically died several days later after developing complications as a consequence of his head injury." “I hope today’s sentence brings some comfort to Mr Saeed’s family who are understandably devastated by what has happened." Abdiwali Ashkir, aged 20 from Ruthven View, Leeds, also pleaded guilty to a public order offence, of causing fear or violence for his part in the disorder. He was given a 14 week sentence suspended by 18 months and a community order of 260 hours.