Anger at assault of cabbie
A TAXI driver was attacked by a group of unruly passengers after he asked them to leave his cab.
One male and three female passengers became verbally abusive when they entered the taxi about 2am yesterday, and the driver asked the group to leave the vehicle.
One of the females got out of the taxi and punched the driver in the face through his window, while another shoved him from the back seat and smashed his mobile phone when he attempted to call police.
Not long after the attack, some of the passengers, who were aged in their mid- 20s, left in another taxi.
Sergeant Michelle Sawtell said the attack was completely unnecessary.
“It’s a bit savage for someone to attack a taxi driver just because he didn’t appreciate their language and would have preferred a bit of respect. He’s providing them a service and there’s no need to treat people like that,” Sgt Sawtell said.
“They’re mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters just trying to help people get home at night time.
“These are people that are old enough to know better, even though they were intoxicated at the time. That’s no real excuse for that sort of behaviour.”
Police will use CCTV footage from both vehicles as part of their investigation.
Townsville Taxis spokesman Brett Hoban said the driver was within his rights to deny rides to aggressive passengers.
“It’s terrible that this is now the 12th assault this year on a taxi driver,” Mr Hoban said.
“I’ve seen the footage and it was a horrible assault. These sort of things affect the whole community.
“We’re a local business, it’s all local money that’s generated and goes around the community.”