NSW: Teenager punches taxi driver in the face

AAP General News (Australia)
02-11-2006
NSW: Teenager punches taxi driver in the face

SYDNEY, Feb 11 AAP - A taxi driver has been punched in the face while stationary at
traffic lights, in the latest act of violence against Sydney cabbies.

The 44-year-old driver was stopped at a red light on Bunnerong Road at Matraville about
1.55am (AEDT) today when a group of male teenagers approached the car and asked to be
taken to the city, police said.

When the driver asked the youths if they had money to pay for the fare, one of the
youths punched him in the face, breaking his glasses.

The driver suffered facial wounds and was taken to hospital, police said. He was later released.

Police have appealed for witnesses to the assault to come forward.

The incident is the latest in a spate of attacks on Sydney taxi drivers, including
the death of Youbert Hormozi, who was beaten and left for dead on a street in Canley Heights
on January 31.

Two 14-year-old girls have been charged with his murder and will appear in Lidcombe
Children's Court on March 30.

Another taxi driver was threatened with a knife and had his cab stolen when he was
robbed at Daceyville on February 9, after picking up a passenger in Darlinghurst.

AAP dcr/evt/sd

KEYWORD: TAXI

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