A Leeds taxi driver booked by Jamie Meah has said he knew it was going to be a “bad day” when he saw a man get out of a car with a “sword” before the teenager was stabbed and killed.
The taxi driver has been called to give evidence during the trial of Ranei Wilks, 23, who is accused of murdering Jamie on March 31, 2023. He is also accused of attempting to murder Kayne Priestley and possessing an article with a blade or point on two occasions – March 31, 2023, and July 24, 2022.
On Monday, prosecutor Imran Shafi told Leeds Crown Court on Monday, January 6, that Aqade Jeffers, Caleb Awe and Enham Nishat, are still at large. Read the full story here. He said the killing arose “out of a dispute between groups dealing drugs in the Leeds area” and that on the night of his death, Jamie along with Mr Priestley had used a taxi to go to various locations.
Ranei Wilks is standing trial accused of Jamie’s murder
(Image: West Yorkshire Police)
He said: “The final, fatal destination was in Hall Lane and it would appear the two of them were engaged in dealing drugs.”
Jurors have previously heard Mr Priestley “got out and began to approach a customer and almost immediately recognised an individual in a Mercedes and ran back to the taxi, he felt for good reason.”
Mr Shafi said three men exited the Mercedes, and “at least one of them – we say the defendant – was armed with a weapon”.
Mr Meah’s taxi driver was questioned by the prosecution and defence barrister Louise Blackwell KC on Wednesday. Ms Blackwell took him through the transcript of his recorded interview with police which took place on April 2, 2023. The driver said he believed the Mercedes was a silver BMW 320. He told officers the car had pulled up in front of his taxi in Hall Lane.
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He said to officers a man got out of the car with a “sword”. During his evidence on Wednesday, the taxi driver told the court he heard one of his passengers say: “Don’t stab me, don’t stab me.”
He said “they got the other man” [his passenger] but did not see what happened to him. The driver then told jurors that the “BMW’s” driver then reversed, allowing him to leave the scene.
He told Mr Shafi: “It was a very bad time when I saw the man with the machete and then I saw him get in my car, and I thought, ‘It’s not good. It’s going to be a bad day.’
Flowers left for Jamie after his tragic passing
(Image: LeedsLive)
“That was a very bad feeling. I thought there was going to be a very big fight that day and when I saw the other guy come out with a big sword that was very bad.”
When asked about how the other car was “bumper to bumper” with him before it reversed, he added: “I was stuck there. I couldn’t move. It was a bit scary. I saw the guy with the sword and when he hit the car I couldn’t imagine what was going on. I thought they were going to break my car. Then he opened the car door and started hitting the other guy. It was very bad.”
The trial continues.
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