A taxi driver was left unconscious with serious face injuries after a ‘sickening and cowardly’ unprovoked attack over the weekend.
The attack happened after a small group of people banged on the boot of a taxi in the Appleton Village car park in Widnes , which is at the side of St Bede’s Catholic Men’s Club.
The driver – a 59-year-old man from the town – got out of his vehicle, but was then attacked by two young men, who were with a young woman at the time, between 1.05am and 1.35am on Saturday, June 15.
The group left the victim lying unconscious on the floor and when he awoke, he came around to find he had suffered ‘serious’ facial injuries.
He phoned for help and was taken to hospital via an ambulance. He needs ongoing medical treatment.
Detectives have now launched an investigation and are appealing for any witnesses to get in touch.
Det Insp Ian Whiley of Widnes Local Policing Unit said: “This was a sickening and cowardly attack on a man who was simply trying to earn a living for his family.
“It has left him with serious facial injuries that require ongoing medical treatment and the unprovoked assault has left his family devastated – his children are extremely upset and cannot understand why anyone would attack their gentle dad.
“I would like to reassure the community that this appears to have been an isolated incident, we have stepped up patrols in the area and we are determined to establish who assaulted the victim and bring them to justice.
“Enquiries are ongoing and as part of our investigation we are appealing for anyone who believes they may have information or footage regarding the small group of people involved in the incident to come forward.
“The same goes for anyone who believes they may have CCTV or dashcam footage of them.
“Perhaps you were in the area and witnessed what happened or saw the people involved, or maybe you recognise the descriptions of them and think that you may know who they are.
“We also want to speak to the group of people who were with the two men and the woman before the attack took place. That group played no part in the assault and may not even know what happened after they left the area.”
A police spokesman said the men who assaulted him were both white, as was the woman they were with.
One of the men is described by officers as being around 25-years-old.
He had a short muscular build, a bald head and a dark brown mid-length beard. The man was wearing a dark-coloured beaded necklace, a long sleeved light grey plain shirt, grey trousers and dark leather shoes with a thick sole.
The other man looked to be around 18 to 19-years-old and 5ft 9ins tall. He had a slim build and a slim face and was clean shaven.
His short brown hair had a parting, he spoke with a ‘Widnes accent’ and he was wearing a grey jacket which was zipped up, dark trousers and shoes with laces.
The woman they were with was also around 18 to 19-years-old with a slim build.
She was approximately 5ft 6ins tall and had straight brown shoulder length hair with a side parting.
She had a coat and lighter coloured trousers on and was carrying a dark medium sized handbag over her shoulder.
Officers also want to speak to anyone who believes they may know the identities of anyone involved in the incident or have CCTV or dashcam footage of them.
Anyone with information or CCTV footage that may help the investigation should call Cheshire Constabulary on 101, quoting IML 428532, give the details by clicking HERE or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Dashcam footage can be submitted online HERE
