Taxi driver assaulted in Weymouth during Christmas Day pick-up
The victim was grabbed by the neck while driving and punched
A Weymouth taxi driver has been assaulted while driving a fare on Christmas Day.
The victim, in his 40s, picked up two men and two women from the Punch Bowl Inn in Easton on Portland at around 9.40pm.
Whilst the vehicle was moving along Lanehouse Rocks Road, one of the male passengers grabbed the driver by the neck.
The victim asked the man to leave the taxi when they stopped, before the man forced the driver's door open, punched him and damaged the vehicle.
A suspect left in the direction of Vines Place and Leamington Road.
They're described as:
- In their mid-30s
- Five feet five inches tall
- Stubbly beard
- Wearing a pink shirt
- White vest
- Black trousers
- Brown shoes
The man was thought to be with a tall, thin man with blonde hair wearing glasses and a white long-sleeved shirt, as well as a woman in a white dress.
PC Richard Symonds, of Weymouth police, said:
“I am appealing to anyone who witnessed any suspicious behaviour in the area at this time and has information about what happened to please come forward.
“I am particularly keen to talk to the passengers in the taxi who were involved in the incident.
“Furthermore, I am keen to hear from any residents of the Lanehouse area who may have relevant footage of the suspect recorded on their doorbell cameras or home CCTV.”
If you can help with any information, you're asked to call Dorset Police on 101, quoting reference number 55230201347.
You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.