Source: Sunderland Echo
A taxi driver was beaten unconscious and left lying in the road after a savage assault.
The 59-year-old is alleged to have been attacked by two passengers until he passed out.Cabbie George, who did not want to give his surname for fear of reprisals, picked up two men from a taxi rank in Sunderland city centre last Wednesday evening.
They asked to be taken to an address in County Durham and even paid a deposit up front.
But they allegedly launched the assault after asking him to stop the taxi so they could go to the toilet. The pair eventually ran off after kicking and punching George until he blacked out.
Passing motorists stopped to give first aid and alerted the emergency services.
George was taken by ambulance to Sunderland Royal Hospital suffering head and facial injuries and spent five hours undergoing a number of x-rays.
George, from Sunderland, says his assailants stole nothing and even left their £20 deposit, which was on the dashboard of the Ford cab.
“I’ve been a taxi driver for about 10 years. I’ve had trouble before but not this serious.
“I think it might be getting worse at this time of year as everyone needs money and there are no jobs.”
He added: “They way they grabbed me from behind, I could not do anything.
“I’ve been left with a black eye, my forehead is all black and blue, my throat is really sore and I’ve got a big scratch on the top of my head.”
Now George’s wife wants him to quit the trade. But says he cannot afford not to work and will be behind the wheel again once his face has healed.
Durham police have confirmed a man has been charged with attempted robbery and remanded in custody. A second man has been released on bail pending further inquiries by police.
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