Taxi driver convicted of assaulting council parking attendant and colleague

A licensed taxi driver has been convicted of assaulting two members of a council’s parking team and given a community order requiring him to carry out 60 hours of unpaid work.

Miran Sayed, 35 of Ivedon Road, Welling, was also ordered to pay court costs of £680, £75 compensation to one of the victims and £50 compensation to the other victim, plus a £25 victim surcharge.

Sayed was sentenced at Staines Magistrates Court earlier this month (12 April) after being found guilty of assaulting a civil enforcement officer and parking team colleague from Reigate & Banstead Borough Council in Horley, Surrey on 15 December 2016.

Cllr James Durrant, Executive Member for Enforcement at the local authority, said: “I am pleased with this guilty verdict. I am shocked and appalled that anyone thinks they can assault a member of our staff for just doing their job; everyone has the right to go to work without fear of intimidation.

“People need to take responsibility for where they park. If they are not happy about being told that they cannot park somewhere or for being given a parking ticket they cannot take out their frustration on our staff. Anyone who receives a penalty charge notice that they disagree with can appeal through the proper channels.

“I hope this sends a strong message that we will not tolerate abuse of our staff and will work with the police to seek the highest penalty if found guilty through the courts.”

The case was brought by the Crown Prosecution Service.