Leeds taxi driver critical after customer stabs him in the neck

The 22-year-old married man was stabbed in the neck as he sat in the driver's seat of his private hire vehicle by a customer he had taken to an address in the Belle Isle area shortly before 8pm on Wednesday, 5 January.

He was taken to Leeds General Infirmary, where his condition deteriorated. He is currently in a critical condition.

The taxi driver had picked up a fare, possibly on Belle Isle Road or Harehills Lane, at around 7.30pm and drove into a cul-de-sac on the Brooms estate shortly before 8pm, when the man produced a knife and stabbed him in the neck before running away from the area.

The taxi driver drove a short distance while making a call on his mobile telephone for help, before being overcome by his injuries. A taxi driver from another firm spotted him in distress and came to his assistance until paramedics arrived.

West Yorkshire Police's Homicide and Major Enquiry Team is appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information which can help to trace those responsible.

Officers are particularly keen to speak to a man who rang the driver's employers, Speedline, on Sunday evening, and claimed to have vital information about the incident. This information was passed to the enquiry team, and officers want to speak to the man again.

Detective Superintendent Paul Taylor, who is leading the investigation, said: "This is an extremely serious incident where a young man has been left fighting for his life, and we are keen to speak to anyone who can help trace those responsible.

"On Sunday evening his employers received a phone call from a member of the public who claimed to have information about the stabbing. This information was passed to us but the caller did not leave a name or number, and we are keen to speak to him directly.

"This man may have further information which could be of vital assistance to our enquiries, and I would urge him to contact officers as soon as possible."

Despite the seriousness of the driver's injuries, which include a severed trachea and a punctured lung, he was able to describe his attacker as a white man, aged 25 to 35 years old, of slim build, taller than 5'6", with brushed forward brown hair, and wore a white outdoor-type jacket which was possibly hooded, and black jeans.

Officers are appealing for anyone who saw a man matching this description, or anyone who saw a dark-coloured private hire vehicle in the Middleton or Belle Isle areas prior to the attack, to come forward.

Det Supt Taylor added: "Although the information we have from the taxi driver is limited, we do believe he has spent the hour prior to the incident in the Middleton and Belle Isle areas.

"It's quite likely that members of the public may have seen his car in those areas, and may have seen him carrying a passenger. It's also possible that members of the public may have seen the man running from the car after the incident.

"Your information could be crucial to our enquiries and I would encourage members of the public who think they may have seen either the car in the area or the man running away from the car to come forward."

Anyone with information is asked to contact 0845 6060606 or Crimestoppers anonymously and in confidence on 0800 555 111.