A DUDLEY taxi controller who punched a driver in the face for complaining he was giving jobs to his friends has been spared jail.

Omar Shahed lashed out at the ofices of Kingswinford’s Fast Line Taxi’s but it was not until two and a half years later that he was arrested by police as he prepared to board a plane to Lahore.

Howard Searle, prosecuting, told Wolverhampton Crown Court Shahed became upset at the accusation he was not being fair when he handed out jobs and he left the driver needing minor surgery to repair his damaged nose.

Mr Searle said: “The man suffered minor injuries from which he made a full recovery but by the time a complaint was made to police the defendant could not be traced.”

But he stressed there was no suggestion Shahed had been deliberately trying to keep out of the way of police before being picked up by officers at Manchester Airport.

Shahed of North Street, Kates Hill, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and was given a 26 week suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay costs and compensation totalling £800.

Malcolm Fowler, for Shahed, told the court his client was on his way to India on a family matter when he was detained by officers.

Mr Fowler added: “There is no suggestion whatsoever that he was trying to abscond.”