Cabbie stabbed while driving

A TAXI-driver was stabbed by two armed robbers in a vicious attack in Oldham.

They assaulted the 67-year-old cabbie as he drove, causing him to lose control of the car.
Police are hunting the assailants after they fled empty-handed.

They struck shortly after 5am on Saturday when the victim was called to a job at the Black Horse pub, Ripponden Road.

He collected the two men, who told him they wanted to go to Henshaw Street in Oldham town centre.

But as the taxi began to pull up at their destination, the rear passenger grabbed the driver’s collar and the front passenger grabbed his jacket, leaving him struggling as he drove. Both offenders demanded money before stabbing the victim. But they did not manage to steal anything and ran off down an alleyway.

The driver suffered a stab wound to his left leg and and a slash wound to the right side of his face.

Det Con Rob Kennedy, of Oldham CID, said: “This is a vicious and unprovoked assault and it is important that we find these men as they are clearly intent on seriously harming people to get money.

“Taxi-drivers often find themselves in a vulnerable position in their job while providing a transport service to the public. This should not be taken advantage of.

“I am appealing to anyone that may have seen anything to come forward so that we can trace these men and bring them to justice.”

The offenders are described as white and in their twenties. Both spoke with an Oldham accent.

One was aged about 29 years and of medium build. The other was aged about 22 and was of slim build.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Oldham CID on 0161-856 8955 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555 111.