Cabbie jailed for Vic passenger hit-run

An illegal taxi driver who ran over a Melbourne passenger's leg following an argument about directions will be deported after serving a prison sentence.

Amenpreed Ratol, 33, was handed a two-and-a-half year jail term on Tuesday in the County Court.

The Indian man has already served 426 days in jail after being taken into remand in January 2018, meaning he will be eligible for release on parole next month once his minimum 15-month term has expired.

Ratol pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious injury and leaving the scene of an accident after the 2016 incident in Melbourne.

He didn't have a driver's license at the time and his taxi registration had been suspended.

Trent Atkinson, 31, had his left leg shattered when Ratol's taxi ran him over after leaving the vehicle about 2.30am on December 4, 2016.

It came after an argument between Mr Atkinson, who was with three other people, and the driver about the best route back to Cranbourne after a night out in Melbourne's CBD.

After becoming frustrated with Ratol, an intoxicated Mr Atkinson tried to apply the brake to the taxi, which prompted the driver to stop the taxi.

The victim took hold of Ratol's driver's ID card on leaving the car before the cab's rear wheels accelerated over Mr Atkinson's leg and shoulder.

In a moment of panic, Ratol drove off from the scene. He turned himself in to police about an hour later.

Prosecutors accepted Ratol was 'flustered' after the argument and hadn't realised his tyres were pointed at Mr Atkinson.

Judge Michael McInerney said Mr Atkinson's long recovery from his broken leg had been arduous, affecting his work as a horse track rider, leading to bouts of depression.

Judge McInerney said Ratol had gone about his rehabilitation in a positive way and had shown great remorse.

"This conviction will mean that given the policy of the present government that he will almost certainly be returned home and I'm told that is his wish," he said.

"Whatever aims he had in regard to a future in Australia are now well and truly gone."

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