A TAXI driver is having his licence reviewed after he assaulted a man who parked in a taxi rank.

Amjid Qurban, who has been a taxi driver for six years, lost his self control after Carlo Vella parked in the rank in Stafford Street, Hanley, on February 20 last year.

Mr Vella got out of his car and began walking to a bank when Qurban shouted: "You can't park there."

He then got out his taxi and shouted at Mr Vella, who was then assaulted.

Prosecutor Neil Ahuja told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court Qurban was joined by other men.

He said: "Mr Vella was knocked to the ground in a shop doorway.

"This defendant was involved in punching and kicking him on the floor.

"It is clear from witnesses that the defendant was the main aggressor."

Mr Vella's girlfriend Sarah Twigg tried to intervene, but Qurban pushed her away.

Mr Ahuja said Mr Vella got up and kicked the defendant's taxi door.

He pleaded guilty to criminal damage and received a conditional discharge.

After he kicked the taxi Mr Vella was attacked again and was punched and kicked on the floor.

"Witnesses intervened to stop the attack, thinking the defendant was going to cause serious injury," said Mr Ahuja.

Mr Vella was left with a small cut and graze to his neck, bruising to his forearm and a sore chin.

Qurban, aged 27, of Spring Road, Normacot, pleaded guilty to two charges of assault.

Paul Cliff, mitigating, said Mr Vella had been confrontational but conceded Qurban, as a taxi driver, should have reacted better.

"He wishes to apologise to the court for the loss of self control. He is ashamed. It was wholly out of character.

"Taxi drivers are regularly exposed to provocation of some description and like most taxi drivers, he has been the victim of violence," said Mr Cliff.

He said Qurban, who has no previous convictions, does not know whether he will be able to continue as a taxi driver.

"He will have to inform the licensing authorities of the outcome (of these proceedings) and they will have to decide what consequences will follow from that."

Mr Cliff added Qurban is a sole carer for his four-year-old daughter.

Judge Robert Trevor-Jones sentenced Qurban to a community order with 120 hours' unpaid work.

He told the defendant: "You completely lost your temper and became so violent. But it was an aberration and I am prepared to accept that."

Qurban must also pay Mr Vella £300 compensation and £500 prosecution costs.

Councillor Joy Garner, chairman of Stoke-on-Trent City Council's licensing and registration panel, said: "If someone is referred to the licensing section, officers will first look at how serious the offence is.

"In really serious cases the chairman and vice-chairman of the panel and the senior licensing officer can sit and agree or disagree whether to immediately suspend a driver's licence."