Taxi Driver Online

Taxi driver left 'terrified' after passenger set his shirt alight

https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/tees ... r-15268851

Royal Cars cabby, Sean Rogan, 51, was attacked as he carried out the morning pick-up


Image: Teesside Live/Royal Cars

A taxi driver has been left “terrified” after a thug set him alight in an unprovoked attack.

Sean Rogan, who has been a cabby for 30 years, had only just picked up two men on Oxbridge Avenue in Stockton when he felt a burning sensation on his arm.

He quickly realised his shirt had been set alight and jumped out of his Royal Cars taxi - the culprit then tried to fight him.

In a bizarre twist, the men then attempted to order another Royal Cars taxi immediately after the episode.

“They asked me to take them from Wembley Court in Oxbridge to Greta Road in Norton and then back again”, Sean, 51, said.

“They gave me the money before they even got in the car and we set off on the journey.

“I could then smell burning and then I just felt the heat, I looked down and my shirt was on fire.

“I immediately pulled over on Oxbridge Lane and jumped out of the car and told them to get out.

“When I looked round, one of the lads was holding a lighter and putting his fists up like he wanted to fight.

“They just did it for no apparent reason. They were shouting that they wanted their money back.”

Panicking, Sean fled and pulled over in a nearby Sainsbury’s where he called the office.

“When I called the office they told me the same lads had just tried to book another taxi from the Sainsbury’s I was at.

“I’ve had people do runners from my taxi and things in the past, but nothing like this.

“They had nothing behind the eyes - they were out of it.”


Image: Teesside Live/Royal Cars

Sean went to hospital where he was treated for two minor burn injuries, but the shocking attack has left him shaken.

“The whole thing has knocked me for six, I’m terrified.

“I won’t be getting back in a taxi until they’re caught, only then will I be able to relax.”

Cleveland Police said they were investigating the attack.

A spokeswoman for the force said: “We received a report of an assault yesterday morning at 8:45am.

“It was reported that the backseat passenger of a taxi set the driver’s shirt alight using a lighter.

“The driver is a 51-year-old male and suffered redness to the skin following the incident.”

Inquiries are ongoing to trace the man responsible, anyone with information is asked to contact Cleveland Police on 101 quoting event number 186580.

There really are some scummy c***s out there.

And clearly super thick for ringing the same firm to pick them up again.

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IDFIMH