Illegal immigrants bit and punched town taxi driver A Hinckley taxi driver was punched and bitten by a gang of illegal immigrants who attacked him while still at the wheel.
David Neil feared for his life when he was grabbed round the neck as the men tried to take over the vehicle.
One jumped out of the cab as it careered along Rugby Road at 30mph, swerving across the street and hitting kerbs.
When Mr Neil, who runs Dave’s Taxis, was finally able to pull over in Rutland Avenue, the three attackers who were left broke door handles to escape.
Two ran off with his takings while he managed to detain the last one by sitting on him.
Police arrested the suspect but no charges were laid as he and his accomplices, who were caught later, were handed over to UK Border Control for deportation.
Despite suffering physical injuries, losing takings and having to pay for repairs to his cab, Mr Neil, 49, has no recourse for compensation.
But he admits he feels lucky neither himself nor others came to more harm during the nightmare ride.
“How we didn’t hit another car or crash into something or hit a pedestrian I just don’t know. This attack was in broad daylight, mid-week during the middle of the day, you just don’t expect it.
“I was still driving when one of them in the back put his hands round my neck and tried hauling me out of my seat.
“Another chap in the back was grabbing at the steering wheel and another one was punching me. It was terrifying.
“Then the one in the front tried jumping out of the car as it was moving, I went to pull him back and he sank his teeth into my hand and I had to let go.
“I was injured, my car was damaged and my takings were stolen but I can’t do anything about it. I’m the victim in all of this but I can’t see justice done or get any kind of compensation because the blokes were illegal immigrants and have been shipped off back to their own country.”
Police arrived in Rutland Avenue to find Mr Neil sitting on one of the men after the other three had fled.
After making a statement Mr Neil went to his doctors where his injured hand was treated, blood tests were taken and he was given tetanus and hepatitis injections and put on a course of antibiotics.
He was unable to work the next day due to the pain in his hand and because his car was off the road having damage to the seats and handles repaired.
Now back in action the 49-year-old from Burbage says he is going to be extra wary about who he takes as passengers and is asking how taxi drivers can be protected from such incidents.
He had picked the four men up on Sketchley Meadows Industrial Estate at about 10.30am last Wednesday, after a snack bar owner called him on behalf of the group.
Mr Neil said: “They all looked rough and they stank but I thought I’d give them the benefit of the doubt.
“They weren’t talking English but one said they wanted to go to ‘city centre’, then said ‘Birmingham’ so I said I’d take them into Hinckley town and they could get another cab from there.
“I didn’t realise what I’d let myself in for. But I’m going to be more careful in future. Taxi drivers need more protection. If we had CCTV in our cars it would act as a deterrent and provide evidence when things go wrong but apparently we can’t install it because of laws surrounding taking images of children.”
A spokesman for Leicestershire Police said they were alerted to an assualt on a taxi driver, adding: “Police attended and arrested four men who were all believed to be illegal immigrants. Three of the men were handed over to the immigration service, the fourth man, aged 38, was arrested in connection with the assault but released with no further action, he too was released into the care of the immigration service.”
source:
http://www.hinckleytimes.net/news/local ... wn-6258820
Login
Register
FAQ
