Officers investigating an assault in Weymouth are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.
The victim – a male taxi driver aged in his 40s – picked up two men and two women from The Punch Bowl Inn in Easton on Portland on Monday 25 December 2023. It is reported that at around 9.40pm whilst driving on Lanehouse Rocks Road, one of the male passengers grabbed the victim by the neck. When stationary, the victim asked the man to leave the taxi and the suspect forced the driver’s door open, before punching the victim and damaging the vehicle. The suspect made off in the direction of Vines Place and Leamington Road.
Fortunately, the victim did not sustain any serious injuries.
The suspect is described as a man in his mid-30s, five feet five inches tall with a stubbly beard. He was wearing a pink shirt, white vest, black trousers and brown shoes.
It is reported that the suspect was in the company of a tall, thin man with blonde hair wearing glasses and a white long-sleeved shirt, as well as a woman in a white dress.
Police Constable Richard Symonds, of Weymouth police, said: “I am appealing to anyone who witnessed any suspicious behaviour in the area at this time and has information about what happened to please come forward.
“I am particularly keen to talk to the passengers in the taxi who were involved in the incident.
“Furthermore, I am keen to hear from any residents of the Lanehouse area who may have relevant footage of the suspect recorded on their doorbell cameras or home CCTV.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55230201347. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.
