A driver who cut across a cyclist and rammed into him was described as a 'decent individual' as he received a suspended prison sentence. Asif Laher, 55, was driving through Bayswater, London in February 2022 in his silver Mercedes when he turned and cut across Wadea Taibi. A verbal altercation ensued, with Laher 'aggressively' banging his steering wheel and shouting. Taibi then went to grab Laher's wing mirror, which broke in his hand. Taibi told the court this was unintentional. This sparked a chase that left Taibi 'pedalling for his life' as Laher started revving and screeching the engine, before chasing after him. Laher then ploughed his car bonnet into Taibi from behind. Taibi told the court he didn't remember the immediate aftermath of the crash but was taken to hospital with ankle and wrist injuries plus a lacerated ear. He also said he continued to suffer from back issues, shooting leg pain, memory issues and bouts of dizziness. Laher, from Watford, pleaded guilty to one count of causing injury by dangerous driving and received a suspended prison sentence after the judge ruled that it was not possible to determine the speed Laher was going. His lawyer also told the court that Laher was 'otherwise a very decent individual' whose business, an IT consultancy and distributor, would become 'unviable' if he received a custodial sentence. Laher was also ordered to complete 30 days of rehabilitation, 200 days of unpaid work, and to pay £1600 to Taibi. He was also disqualified from driving for two years.
