7:00pm Monday 30th July 2007
By Julie Magee
A Bournemouth taxi driver is recovering following a vicious early morning attack by a passenger who fled without paying his fare.
The 34-year-old cabbie was set upon just after 4am on Friday, July 27 after giving chase along Sunnyhill Road in Southbourne.
Police have described the incident as "a very nasty, sustained assault" and appealed for help to find the offender.
PC Phil Prentice said the victim, who works independently, had been punched and kicked unconscious.
"The man responsible knocked the driver to the ground but continued to kick him in the body and the head.
"A local resident interrupted the assault and the attacker walked off, only to come back moments later for a final assault."
After a local resident raised the alarm, police officers found the victim lying on a pavement a short distance from his green Peugeot 406.
He was taken to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital for treatment for facial injuries.
Police say the attacker had got into the vehicle, along with two women, at the Horseshoe Common rank in Bournemouth.
After the two women had been dropped off at the top of Sunnyhill Road, the taxi driver pulled into a cul de sac at Paisley Road but gave chase after his passenger fled without paying his fare.
Following the attack, the offender was seen running up Sunnyhill Road towards Southbourne Grove.
Officers are now studying CCTV footage in a bid to identify the man who is white, about 5ft 11in tall, in his mid to late 20s with a medium build.
He has mousy coloured hair which is scruffy on top and short at the sides and was wearing a light or grey coloured top, dark trousers and white trainers.
PC Prentice said: "This was a disgusting attack on a taxi driver trying to make a living and I'm determined to find the man responsible. I need to hear from anyone who saw this trio in Horseshoe Common getting into the taxi or witnessed the assault itself."
Anyone with information should phone 01202 222222 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk