Posted on the 21st October 2026 in PHTM News

PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER WHO HUNTED DOWN RIVAL IN LIVERPOOL CHASE WALKS FREE

A private hire driver who used his vehicle as a weapon to hunt down and repeatedly ram a rival motorist has avoided a prison sentence, despite a judge declaring his behaviour "deserved custody".

Hawkar Karimi, of Wavertree, engaged in a terrifying high-speed pursuit through residential streets before smashing his cab into the victim’s car during a shocking episode of road rage on Edge Lane.

The confrontation began when Karimi became enraged after missing a green traffic light. What started as a minor traffic frustration rapidly escalated into violence when both drivers pulled over and engaged in a physical punch-up in the street.

Following the fistfight, the other driver drove away, believing the incident was over. Karimi, however, refused to let the matter drop.

Getting back behind the wheel of his taxi, Karimi used his vehicle to track the man down. For several minutes, the cabbie tailed the victim through heavy traffic and narrow residential roads.

The pursuit culminated on Edge Lane, one of Liverpool's busiest thoroughfares, where Karimi deliberately and repeatedly shunted his cab into the back of the victim's car, pushing it into oncoming traffic.

The entire ordeal was captured on Karimi's own dashcam, providing prosecutors with undeniable evidence of the attack.

Karimi later admitted his actions were "classless and very stupid."

Appearing at Liverpool Crown Court, Karimi faced a stern rebuke from the bench. The presiding judge made it clear that the severity of the offence - using a public service vehicle to terrorise another road user - warranted immediate imprisonment.

However, Karimi walked free from court due to recent changes in sentencing guidelines and emergency legislative measures aimed at managing prison overcrowding. Under the current legal framework, judges are required to suspend short custodial sentences whenever possible, allowing the rogue driver to avoid jail time.

The decision has sparked fresh debate over the effectiveness of current sentencing laws regarding aggressive driving and public safety.

 


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