Brighton cabbie landed with legal bill after fraudulently blaming bus for crash

A Brighton cabbie crashed into a bus then blamed the bus driver and sued for compensation for whiplash.

But Jimi Wilson Habashi was caught out by footage from the bus’s on-board camera – and a series of similar previous claims.

Mr Habashi was ordered to pay £6,800 court costs as his case was thrown out by a judge.

The crash, involving a number 28 bus, happened in Lewes Road, Brighton, near the bottom of Bear Road, in June 2016.

The bus company said: “A Brighton taxi driver who took Brighton and Hove Buses to court after colliding with a bus in Lewes Road has been forced to pay all the costs of the court case after his claim was found to be fundamentally dishonest.

“Jimi Wilson Habashi claimed his whiplash injury and damaged car were caused by the bus driver veering into his lane when he moved off from a stationary position at the Lewes Road junction with Bear Road traffic lights in June 2016.

“CCTV footage from the bus was used in evidence to prove it was the other way around.

“The court also heard Mr Habashi, who was relying on a report from a medical expert to prove his injuries, had not disclosed a series of previous personal injury claims at the time.”

Brighton and Hove Buses manager Ed Knight said: “It’s a shame the court’s time as well as that of my colleagues was wasted in this way.

“It’s a bit of a surprise to us that anyone thinks they can get away with such a false claim when our buses are equipped with CCTV (closed-circuit television).

“We also investigate all incidents thoroughly.

“This judgment shows that dishonesty does not pay.”

Mr Habashi’s claim was thrown out at Hastings County Court yesterday (Wednesday 28 February) with the claim found to be fundamentally dishonest.