Yahoo News Robber cuts cabbie’s throat with broken bottle for just £10
A trainee black-cab driver told today how he feared he was about to die as a robber slashed his throat with a broken wine bottle.
The 44-year-old south Londoner — who said his assailant got away with “less than a tenner” — described the attack as increasing numbers of cabbies learn Israeli self-defence skills.
The victim, called Matt, was attacked in the early hours of Sunday last week as he drove a minicab after a long day training for his Knowledge tests.
He said his ordeal had left him lacking the confidence to drive, and he is now struggling to support his pregnant girlfriend and his son and daughter.
His best friend, also a “Knowledge boy”, set up a crowdfunding page to help him while he recovers which raised more than £700 in two days.
Matt picked up and dropped off the alleged attacker in Bromley, where he was told to park in a dead-end alley.
He said: “From out of nowhere, he hit me around the head with a wine bottle, which smashed, but I couldn’t do anything because I had my seatbelt on. Next thing, he was on top of me sticking it into my throat and going through my pockets trying to find money.
“I tried shouting at him: ‘I’ve got a wife and child and a baby on the way.’ He put his hand over my mouth and kept telling me: ‘Shush’. I said the money is in the boot, as a decoy, and tried to run but kept falling over.”
Matt managed to stagger to a petrol station where staff called 999. He was treated in hospital for lacerations and had his throat “stitched back together”. He said: “I’ve never been so scared in all my life… I’ve lost all faith and don’t see how I can drive a cab again.”
Rick Manetta, a Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association member, runs krav maga classes for cabbies in Wapping. He said: “It’s always been way more dangerous than people realise because you’re out there on your own.”
Police said a private hire driver was robbed in Reigate Road at about 3.30am on Sunday November 12.
A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of robbery and released under investigation. Police asked witnesses to call 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
