Ex-boyband singer 'hit taxi driver'

Former boyband singer Lee Ryan floored a taxi driver by punching him in the head during an argument over a minor traffic accident, a court has heard.

The 25-year-old ex-Blue star is accused of hitting Naeem Ibrahim up to three times when a row broke out after his fiancee drove into the back of his cab on New Year's Eve last year.

Mr Ibrahim claims Ryan refused to pay for the damage caused in the prang at Oxted, Surrey and launched the attack while he was writing down the registration number.

Ryan, whose former group had a string of number one hits, is standing trial at Guildford Magistrates Court where he denies of charge of common assault.

The court heard that Ryan was a passenger in fiancee Samantha Miller's Ford Ka when it drove into the back of Mr Ibrahim's people carrier carrying a couple and their son at traffic lights.

Mr Ibrahim said he got out of the vehicle after feeling a "shake" from behind. He told the court Ryan also got out and when he asked him for the drivers details he "ignored me like I wasn't there".

He said after fetching his diary and pen he could see some damage had been caused to the rear of his vehicle but Ryan claimed there was none.

He added: "I said the insurance company would deal with it but he said 'I am not going to pay for it'. I said if that is the case I will have to call the police. He said "I don't care a damn s***."

Mr Ibrahim told the court he tried to have a conversation with the Ford Ka driver to get her details but Ryan interrupted.

He said: "I was explaining that as soon as I got the details I can go or I will have to call the police.

He just ignored me and whilst I was writing I was punched."

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