Minicab driver punched by Watford thugsA minicab driver had his tooth knocked out by a gang of thugs during a dispute over a fare in Watford.
Atique Rahman, 35, picked up six men aged roughly 20-years-old from Watford Colosseum on Saturday, January 19.
When he dropped them off at Watford Junction, an argument over the fare broke out and Mr Rahman was punched in the face, knocking out one tooth and damaging three others.
Mr Rahman, who has been driving a minicab for 18 months, said: "When I picked up the six guys they asked me how much it was to go to Watford Junction.
"I said it would be on the meter, but wouldn’t be more than £10, and they said that was fine.
"When we arrived I got out the driver’s seat and went to open the back door, and they asked me how much it was.
"I told them it was £8.50 and they said ‘no it’s not, the controller said it would be £5’ so I told them again it was £8.50."
Mr Rahman, who lives in north Watford, told the men to telephone the controller and gave them his mobile phone. The controller told the men the fare was £8.50.
Mr Rahman said: "One guy reached into his pocket and gave me £3, and one of the others gave me 2p. I said, ‘what is this, the fare is £8.50?’ and told them if they didn’t pay I’d call the police.
"That’s when one of them punched me. There was no argument so I wasn’t ready for it. Then they all ran off down Clarendon Road."
After a visit to the dentist, Mr Rahman was told one of his teeth had been permanently knocked out, and three others had been damaged. He will find out next week whether they will have to be removed too.
British Transport Police said the investigation was ongoing, and a number of leads, including CCTV images and details of the minicab booking, were being followed up.
Mr Rahman added: "I called the police and went to hospital but I haven’t heard anything else, there are plenty of cameras in the town centre and train station so they must have seen it.
"I want the police to arrest these people to show them they will do something about it, otherwise people will think they can get away with it."
source:
http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/1 ... _by_thugs/