A Liverpool taxi driver, Hawkar Karimi, 37, was handed a suspended prison sentence and a 30-month driving ban for his involvement in a road rage incident that included a physical fight and multiple car collisions. The incident occurred on September 13, 2026, after Karimi became angered when another driver missed a green light.
The altercation began when Karimi, believing the other driver might have been using a mobile phone, beeped his horn. This escalated into a physical confrontation, captured on Karimi's dashcam, where both men exchanged punches. At one point, Karimi fell to the ground after being struck.
Following the fight, Karimi re-entered his taxi and initiated a minute-long car chase, reaching speeds up to 40 mph. During the pursuit, he drove through a red light and rammed the other vehicle twice. The chase concluded when Karimi intentionally crashed into the back of the black Volkswagen for a third time, forcing it into a brick wall outside a furniture shop.
Karimi was arrested at the scene. He pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous driving. Representing Karimi, his defense counsel stated that the driver was a 'positively contributing' member of society and that his actions did not reflect his true character. Karimi expressed regret for his behavior.
At Liverpool Crown Court on October 20, Judge Stuart Driver KC described Karimi's driving as 'disgraceful' but, citing the Sentencing Act 2026 which mandates suspended sentences for terms of 12 months or less unless exceptional circumstances exist, imposed a 12-month prison sentence suspended for one year. Karimi was also ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and a 12-month probation requirement. He received a £187 victim surcharge and a 30-month driving ban. The judge noted that while he believed Karimi should have served prison time, there were no exceptional circumstances to warrant that outcome. 
