Leeds taxi driver smashed in face after boy throws brick through car window
https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/news/leeds ... e-14544716
A man who witnessed the attack said the driver had 'blood all over his hand and face' after he was hit by the projectile
A taxi driver was taken to hospital after a boy hurled a brick through the window of his vehicle in Leeds.
Murat Demir, 41, and his seven-year-old son witnessed the terrifying attack when they were walking along York Road, outside Asda Killingbeck Superstore, at around 9pm on Monday, April 16.
He said the driver was waiting at a set of traffic lights when a boy, who was with four friends, threw the brick at the Roadrunners taxi.
A woman who was in the back of the taxi phoned the police and ambulance service and shortly after they arrived on the scene, the blood-soaked driver was taken to hospital.
Mr Demir said: "He was waiting at the light to turn into ASDA and a kid sitting on a concrete block jumped down, picked up a brick and threw it at the car.
"It went threw the front passenger window and I believe it bounced off the seat and hit the driver's shoulder and face.
"His mouth was bleeding when he got out of the car and there was blood all over his hand and face.
"The driver had a passenger in the back as well and she phoned the police."
He added: "It's definitely a random attack, I don't think it has been planned.
"It was a bad experience for my son to experience and just think about if this happened when he was in the car.
"The last time I spoke to the driver he was in hospital. I just told him that I'm here to help and he can get in touch if he needs anything."
The 41-year-old driver was taken to Leeds General Infirmary for treatment with facial and shoulder injuries after he was hit with the brick.
West Yorkshire Police has launched an investigation into the incident and officers are appealing for witnesses and information.
A spokesman for the force said officers are 'still conducting enquiries'.
Mr Demur is also a taxi driver, who works for Wheel Private Hire, and he said that bricks, stones and other projectiles have been thrown at his car on numerous occasions.
It's happened to me before many times, not just once," he said, "The last one was about three months ago on Selby Road and it hit my bonnet.
"It has still got a mark, but I was lucky it didn't come through my window."
Leeds Private Hire Drivers Organisation (LPHDO) has led more than 100 private hire drivers in a go-slow protest through Leeds city centre in December 2017, to bring attention to an increasing number of attacks on taxis in the city.
West Yorkshire Police has said these attacks are 'completely unacceptable' and insists it is working to put 'long-term problem-solving measures in place to tackle the issue'.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information which could help police with their investigation should phone 101 and quote reference number 13180179934.
