Taxi driver fends off 'vicious' thugs in late night brawl

Taxi

A taxi driver who was beaten by thugs in a late night attack has spoken out – in a bid to warn other drivers.

Peter Bowker was kicked, punched and dragged around by a gang of youths who refused to pay their fare when he dropped them off in Belfield on Friday (5 December).

Police attended the scene on Croxton Avenue, but Peter has decided not to make a formal complaint. Instead he would like to warn other drivers to be on their guard. 

He said: “They had had way too much to drink and I could sense trouble as soon as they got in the car.

“I pulled up in Belfield and they started fighting with each other and shouting, then they refused to pay the fare.”

“After a while they got out and started running, at which stage I lost my temper and decided to chase after them.

“I later found this to be a mistake as about 40 teenagers turned up out of nowhere so I ran back to my car.

“What people don’t realise is this is our livelihood, we are not out to cause bother, we are out to make a living.

“I think other drivers should be on their guard because there are some nasty people about”

Peter suffered multiple bruises to his face and head, and marks to his back.

A spokeswoman from Greater Manchester Police said: “The driver involved decided to not make a complaint, but he did make a call and we did attend the scene.”