A man who crashed a Jaguar into a minicab and assaulted a police officer in a row over a £7 cab fare was ordered to pay £2,000.

Abdul Hassan, of St Margarets, Barking, pleaded guilty to a string of offences, including £1,000 worth of damage to the cab, assaulting a police officer during an attempted arrest, driving the Jaguar without insurance and previous traffic offences.

Appearing at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, Hassan was also sentenced to 200 hours of unpaid community work.

The 23-year-old was taking a cab with friends to Dagenham Heathway on December 27 at about 2.30am, but when they arrived his friends ran off without paying the fare, the court heard.

Hassan only had £5 on him and gave that to the driver, who complained this was £2 short.

Hassan, who works as an intern at an investment bank, left the cab and got into a parked Jaguar to leave, but was blocked in by the cabbie.

He reversed, causing scratches to the cab which, though small, mean expensive labour costs for the driver, the court heard.

Hassan was stopped by police around the corner, but “laughed and tried to walk away”, the prosecuting solicitor said.

An officer then took his arm, leading to an altercation during which Hassan committed the assault.

He was not insured to drive the Jaguar, whose owner was not identified in court.

Defence solicitor Ms Parker said: “He did behave very foolishly that night. He was only intending to drive a very short distance.

“It’s a very unfortunate incident on a night out.”

A court probation officer said Hassan was within the legal drink-drive limit on the night, and had expressed remorse for his actions.

Hassan was also being sentenced for driving a Vauxhall Astra without insurance, and with only a provisional licence, on June 22.

Judge Chris Wright said: “We feel it’s so serious only a community order will do.”

Along with the 200 hours’ unpaid work, Hassan was disqualified from driving for a year.

He was ordered to pay £792.97 compensation to the cab driver, £620 court costs, and £700 for driving without insurance.

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