Cabbie Scarred For Life After Taxi Knife Thug Attack
Thursday 16th July 2009
A Bury taxi driver has been left permanently disfigured after he was slashed across the face by a knife-wielding thug in his vehicle.
Mohammed Ishtiaq required 28 stitches for his wound after the horror attack which happened after he refused to hand over his takings.
Despite his injuries, the brave father-of-four tackled the knifeman and the struggle spilled out into the street.
Police later arrested a man at the scene of the incident in Huntley Mount Road, Bury, early on Saturday, July 4.
As reported in last week’s Bury Times, the 48-year-old man was detained on suspicion of robbery. He has been bailed until September 7 pending further inquiries.
This week 37-year-old Mr Ishtiaq, who has worked for Farebay Taxis for the past eight years, spoke about his ordeal.
“I had picked up this man in my taxi from Rochdale Old Road and he asked to go to Thrush Drive on the Dickybird Estate,” he said. “When we got there, he asked me to go straight on, further up. As I turned into Kingfisher Drive he suddenly said to me ‘give me your money or I’ll cut your face.’ “I told him I’d no money. He then said he’d cut me and he attacked me, slashing me across the face.”
Mr Ishtiaq also sustained a cut to his hand as he desperately tried to ward off his attacker. He was also punched in the face but then began to fight back.
“In a little while, we ended up fighting outside,” added Mr Ishtiaq. “I was calling out to people nearby to help me as someone had cut my face and was trying to kill me. Thankfully, a passing couple called the police.”
The driver, who lives in Bury, spent four days in hospital.
He added: “I had 28 stitches, all of which are now out. But I’m going to be scarred for life.”
Police have already appealed for information about the incident. Anyone who can help should ring Bury CID on 0161 856 4647 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
A taxi association leader has expressed his “grave concerns” over what he says is an increased number of attacks on drivers in Bury.
Charles Oakes, chairman of the Bury and Bolton Hackney Car Association, said: “There seems to be a rise in attacks on drivers generally in Bury. Certainly, my members are very concerned and there is talk among them that they don’t actually want to work nights.
“This latest attack brought this home. We have already spoken to the police and the council about what’s going on in Bury.”
That's the story; now click on the Source link below to see the photo of the injured driver. But be warned it is BAD.
Source; thisislancashire.co.uk
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