A taxi driver was charged in a magistrate's court yesterday with causing grievous hurt for his role in a traffic dispute that left a financial adviser in a coma.

Lee Yuet Kong, 68, a relief driver, allegedly drove his Comfort cab away with Mr Alex Lim Wee Chong on the bonnet, then braked abruptly, causing the 30-year-old to fall backwards and hit his head on the road.

The incident took place in Scotts Road at about 9.20pm on April 9.

Mr Lim, who was driving his girlfriend home, had been involved in a minor collision with Lee?s taxi a few minutes earlier along Paterson Road.

Both vehicles had then pulled over beside Shaw House and the two drivers had started arguing.

Before it was resolved, Lee, who was carrying a passenger at the time, allegedly got back into his taxi and tried to drive off.

Mr Lim, wanting to get Lee's particulars, stood in front of the cab, but Lee allegedly drove away, throwing him onto the bonnet of the car.

The passenger, who got out of the cab and disappeared, has since responded to appeals from Mr Lim's family and girlfriend and come forward to help police in the investigation.

ComfortDelGro has suspended Lee from work. Mr Lim remains in a coma at Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

Yesterday, the prosecution asked for the case to be adjourned for three weeks pending a medical report on the victim.

Asked by District Judge May Mesenas whether he intended to plead guilty, Lee said no, adding that he wanted to engage a lawyer.

He is out on $5,000 bail.

The case has been fixed for a pre-trial conference on May 4. If convicted, Lee faces a jail term of up to two years and a fine of up to $1,000.