Belfast taxi driver knocked unconscious in suspected racially motivated attack
- Perry Richardson
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
A taxi driver was knocked unconscious during a suspected racially motivated assault in north Belfast late on Saturday evening, according to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Police said the incident happened at around 11.10pm on 16 May in the Talbot Street area when the driver, a man aged in his 30s, was approached by two men and a woman.
Inspector Moutray said one of the men became aggressive after being refused a lift because the driver already had a pre-arranged booking. The suspect allegedly used racial slurs before spitting on the driver twice and punching the taxi’s window.
Police said the situation escalated after the driver got out of his vehicle. Inspector Moutray said: “As the taxi driver exited his vehicle, he was punched in the face by the man, causing him to hit the ground and lose consciousness.”
Police say two men assaulted a taxi driver in north Belfast after he refused a fare due to an existing booking.
The PSNI added that after regaining his feet, the victim was punched again by a second man, leaving him with cuts to his mouth. The suspects then fled on foot towards Belfast city centre, briefly stopping in the Hill Street area.
The attack is being treated as a racially motivated hate crime. Inspector Moutray said the area was busy at the time and appealed for witnesses, CCTV footage or anyone with information to come forward. The woman involved was described as wearing a black dress, while the two men were described as muscular build, wearing a white shirt and a red T-shirt.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 1810 16/05/26. Information can also be provided using the online non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport
You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on0800 555 111or online atwww.crimestoppers-uk.org
