by Keith Hunt

A taxi driver who stabbed another man after he went to a friend’s house for a barbecue is facing a jail sentence after being convicted of unlawful wounding.

Sentence was adjourned on Kefayaat Satiereh until the week beginning October 22 for reports to assess dangerousness.

The 27-year-old cabbie, of Midhurst Court, Mote Road, Maidstone, denied the charge.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the he argued with Yusef Sadiki before pulling out the blade at the house in Alfred Close, Chatham, and aiming it at his chest.

Stephanie Dodd, prosecuting, said the victim was invited to the barbecue by Safi Husayai on May 4 last year.

When he arrived he saw that Satiereh, who works for Express Taxis in Maidstone, was there. Mr Sadiki was concerned because they did not get on.

“He thought it is not adding up,” said Miss Dodd. “He was concerned. Mr Satiereh became angry and started shouting at him, pulling up his sleeves and rushing towards him.

“Mr Sadiki decided to leave. Mr Satiereh pulled out a knife and tried to stab him, aiming it at his chest.

"Mr Sadiki moved his arm to protect himself and took the impact on his arm. He saw it was bleeding. He ran into the garden to escape.”

He was taken to hospital and treated for two wounds to his arm.

Satiereh admitted he did not get on with the victim. He said he had been drinking double vodka but was not drunk.

“He said he didn’t stab anybody and, essentially, he must have done it himself or some other way,” said the prosecutor.

“The prosecution say it is actually straightforward - that the defendant doesn’t like Mr Sadiki. He had been drinking and he stabbed him.

“The knife was not found at the address. We don’t know what happened to it, so there is no forensic evidence.”

Satiereh was remanded in custody.