A cab driver was found guilty of common assault after reacting “furiously” when a parking warden informed him that he was parked illegally and would have to be fined.
Sajid Shafi, 46, became enraged and punched the Brent Council parking warden Mohammed Guelle twice during the incident on January 31, and wrestled him on the ground shortly before driving off.
Shortly after police were called to the scene, outside Entercity Car Hire in Station Parade, Willesden Green, and Shafi returned and officers were forced to intervene when the taxi driver, who lived in Gladstone Park Gardens, Dollis Hill, aggressively approached Mr Guelle while shouting verbal abuse.
Brent Council leader Councillor Muhammed Butt (Labour) said: “The council’s parking warden was simply doing his job and received a furious and violent response from the motorist who was parked illegally.
“We realise that traffic wardens are not always the most popular people in the world but no-one deserves to be physically or verbally abused for doing their job.
“The council will not tolerate the minority of aggressive people who abuse our staff and we hope this individual receives an appropriate sentence.
“Our thoughts and best wishes are with the officer and his family and we hope he recovers soon.”
Shaf was found guilty of common assault but cleared of racially aggravated common assault on Tuesday after a four-day trial at Harrow Crown Court.
Investigating officer PC Ama Uppal from Brent Police Community Safety Unit said: “Brent Police actively pursue all allegations of crime and this conviction shows that those engaged in crime will be bought to justice.”
Shafi will be sentenced on September 26.
