A taxi driver who hit a passenger with his vehicle after a row over a fare was jailed for nine months yesterday.

Chief Justice Austin Ward imposed the sentence on Anthony Winslow Outerbridge, after hearing how he had driven at Conrad Rogers and left him with severe head injuries.

Mr. Rogers spent three months in hospital, including two weeks in intensive care and is understood to still be struggling to overcome his injuries.

The Chief Justice said he had taken into account the fact that Outerbridge -- who was of previous good character -- had never intended to hurt the victim and merely wanted to frighten him.

But he said he did hit him by an inherently reckless act.

Outerbridge, 36, of Riviera Crescent, Southampton, previously pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm on March 28.

The incident happened after Outerbridge, working as a taxi driver, agreed to give Conrad Rogers a lift from Southampton Rangers football club to a house at Middle Road, Southampton.

On arrival, Mr. Rogers said he couldn't pay and asked Outerbridge to come the following day for the money. An argument ensued and as the complainant walked off Mr. Outerbridge got in his car and accelerated towards him, hitting him on the legs. As Mr. Rogers lay on the road bleeding, the defendant got in his car and drove off.

Crown Counsel Sandra Bacchus said the attack was unprovoked and deliberate.

But defence lawyer Mark Telemaque said his client was aggrieved because of an agreement between the two and when it went sour he acted the way he did. He said he had no previous convictions and was working as a taxi driver to support three households.

Two young daughters, by different women, and Outerbridge's 71-year-old mother depended on him for income.

In addition he had pleaded guilty at an early stage and cooperated with the Police.

"This was out of character,'' said Mr. Telemaque. "We must bear in mind and the court must take into account the personal circumstances of each individual offence.'' Before sentence was passed, Outerbridge publicly apoligised to Mr. Rogers.

He said: "When I accepted this job, my intention was never to run him over, it was to make $10.

"My intention was to honestly work, I don't steal, I am a law abiding citizen. When you are a sole provider, it hurts a man's pride when he can't make a living to provide for his family.'' The Chief Justice said: "I accept this was a one-off offence and was out of character. But to drive a car at a pedestrian, even at a slow speed, shows reckless disregard for the victim's life.''