A taxi operator, who tried to bribe a police officer with $9,400 after he was stopped for traffic violations, was fined $30,000 when he appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

Reports are that Derrick Osborne, a taxi operator, stopped along Caledonia Avenue, St Andrew, and allowed passengers to exit his vehicle. When he was approached by the lawman, he sped off and the policeman gave chase. It is further reported that the taxi operator mounted a sidewalk, forcing pedestrians to scamper for safety, before crashing into a steel pole that was erected along the road.

When Osborne was apprehended, he reportedly offered the police $9,400 to brush the offence under the carpet. He was subsequently arrested and charged.

However, Osborne offered a different story in court on Monday.

He told Resident Magistrate Glen Brown that though he committed a traffic violation, he only offered the officer the money after the officer asked: "Wha yuh can do fi yuh self?"

He continued that the deal was for him to give the officer $15,000 to turn a blind eye to the offence, but since he was only able to come up with $9,400, the offer was refused and charges levied against him.