Madam Lee Geok Hiok, a cleaning supervisor, said she was trying to park her Mitsubishi behind People's Park Centre at 11.30pm when she was shown a rude sign by the cabby.

She then held on to the taxi's door and demanded an explanation, but it moved forward, tossing her to the ground and bruising her knee.

Enraged, she stood in front of the taxi to prevent the cabby from driving off and called the police.

But the cabby reversed and sped past her.

The row took place just a few steps away from the Subordinate Courts.

Later, police arrived and interviewed her and several witnesses.

She said: 'The taxi driver tried to deny showing me a rude sign.

'Later, he apologised, but I'm not satisfied.'

KHUSHWANT SINGH