Essex taxi driver 'feared for his life' after being 'stabbed' in alleged 'ambush'
https://www.essexlive.news/news/essex-n ... e-10261631
A taxi driver says he feared for his life after he was attacked while dropping off a customer. Claudiu Sandra, 26, was working in the early hours of June 8 when he was stabbed, which he claims happened after a group of armed people swarmed his vehicle.
Mr Sandra says he had taken a young woman to a residential area of Mistley, near Manningtree. The woman allegedly said she would get her mum to pay for the trip, but the driver claims that while waiting to be paid, he was instead "ambushed" by seven masked people, including one who was reportedly carrying a knife.
Essex Police say four people have been arrested in connection with the incident in Brunswick Gardens in Mistley. Mr Sandra said he had been left shocked by the incident, and once fully recovered, he would not work at night again.
"I totally, definitely, feared for my life," Mr Sandra said. "My mind went to one of the worst situations that I can think. I was thinking that every move or thing I say could cost me my life. I was almost speechless until they started attacking me. I then just had to go with the flow and try to protect myself. When it's one versus seven, you can't really manage."
The taxi driver of three years added: "I would not do night-time jobs again. It's not just the trauma, but for my mum too. Those hours when I was in surgery, she did not know what had happened, and it's a lot of stress. I will always have this in the back of my mind."
Four teenagers have been questioned by detectives in relation to the incident. That investigation remains ongoing.
Two men, both 18 and from Colchester, were arrested on suspicion of causing GBH and were bailed until August 29 and August 31, respectively. Two girls, aged 17 and 16, were arrested on suspicion of causing GBH and were also bailed until August 31 and August 2,9, respectively.
Anyone with information or footage of what occurred should contact Essex Police. Quote incident 0055 of June 8 to make sure it reaches the correct officers.