Horsham pensioner punched by taxi driver in ‘road rage row’

The motorist was sitting in traffic in Orchard Street, Chichester, when the taxi driver behind him tried to open the victim’s car door, and then kicked off his wing mirror.

After the offender returned to his vehicle, the Horsham man got out of his black Mercedes to photograph the damage to his car and to record the registration number of the taxi, but as he did so the man returned and repeatedly punched him.

The victim was taken to hospital with minor head and neck injuries.

Police were called at about 4.15pm.

A Sussex Police spokesperson described the incident as ‘a road rage row’.

PC Stu Bethan said: “The attacker was driving a maroon Hackney cab and we believe he had a customer in the back of his taxi while he was assaulting his victim.

“I am very keen to speak to that person as they may have seen the moments building up to the attack as well as the attack itself.

“I would also like to speak to anyone else who was in the area around Orchard Street on Friday and saw or heard the incident happening.”

A 43-year-old man from Emsworth was arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal damage and questioned before being released on bail until July 6.

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting serial 1009 of 23/5.