Taxi driver suffered multiple injuries

12:26pm Thursday 15th May 2008

A GRAVESEND taxi driver died after suffering 39 separate injuries, a court heard.

The full horror of Gian Chand Bajar's death emerged at Maidstone Crown Court as a Home Office pathologist gave evidence of the injuries that killed him.

The court heard the 71-year-old's body was left battered and broken after he was attacked by a passenger and then run over with his own taxi.

Dr David Rouse told the court Mr Bajar suffered 39 injuries, including a broken hip, a "separated" shoulder joint, a broken thigh and broken ribs - some of which were double breaks.

Dr Rouse said: "The injuries to the back are typical of someone who has been dragged on a road surface.

"You have got abrasions over the front and back of the body."

Luke Aujila, 21, of no fixed address, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but denies murdering Mr Bajar - claiming that what happened on May 23 last year was a "tragic accident."

The prosecution claims Aujila knocked Mr Bajar to the ground and kicked him after an argument over the taxi fare.

It is said he then got into the taxi and ran over Mr Bajar - who was a well-known figure in Gravesend's Sikh community.

It is alleged Aujila then drove off in the taxi and set fire to it in Dorchester Road, Gravesend - in a bid to destroy the evidence.

The trial continues.

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