Two men jailed for attacking taxi driver in row over fare in Glasgow

Two men who attacked a taxi driver in Govan over a £20 fare have been locked up for a total of 42 months.

Savid Javed, 36, was stabbed by Gordon McPherson, 21, and repeatedly punched by Dylan Sullivan, 20, outside their house in August last year.

The terrified cabbie was left scarred for life after the attack last August, leaving Mr Javed too afraid to work months after his ordeal.

On Tuesday, his attackers were sentenced at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Tuesday.

McPherson - who already had a violent past - was locked up for 32 months after he admitted assaulting the dad-of-three to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

Sullivan meantime was ordered to serve 10 months following his guilty plea.

Both struck having previously been freed early from stints behind bars.

Sheriff Iain Fleming said: “This was a vicious and sustained assault to a man in his employment and this will attract a prison sentence.”

A hearing was told the thugs ordered a cab in Govan taking them to Scotstoun. They were told the fare had be paid up front because of the distance.

Mr Javed arrived and told McPherson and Sullivan that the fare was £20 which they “took exception” to.

Prosecutor Pat Callendar said: “They began to assault him. McPherson struck Mr Javed on the head and body with a knife while Sullivan repeatedly punched him on the head.

Neighbours heard what was happening and the name ‘Gordon’ was shouted.

Mr Javed managed to get back into his taxi as the attackers fled, and a resident dialled 999 before the victim was rushed to hospital.

A cheek wound needed nine stitches while he also had injuries to his head and back.

Miss Callendar added: “Mr Javed will be permanently scarred.”

Sullivan was initially traced and found with blood on his clothes, and he claimed to have been attacked. McPherson had blood on his hands when he was tracked down.

Neal McShane, defending McPherson, said: “He can remember a minor disagreement on the return taxi fare.

“Mr Javed got out his taxi and approached McPherson. He considered that to be an aggressive action.

“He accepts what happened thereafter and there is no justification."

Sullivan's lawyer Des Ziolo said: “This was a matter that escalated extremely quickly, and he regrets being involved in this matter.”

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