A TAXI driver was the victim of a racially-aggravated assault whilst he sat in his car.

The 28-year-old victim was sat in his taxi, parked near Pizza Hut, in Brighton Way, Brighton Hill, when he was attacked on Saturday (December 17) at around 4.10pm.

The driver had turned on the taxi’s engine to warm up his car for passengers, when an elderly man sat in an adjacent vehicle then asked him to turn the engine off.

When he declined, the man approached the taxi and punched the driver in the face several times, making racial comments as he did so.

The man, described as white, in his late 50s/early 60s, wearing a flat farmer’s cap and body warmer, also damaged the taxi’s wing mirrors.

Police are appealing for witnesses who saw the man who was driving a light blue Vauxhall car, possibly an Astra, with a female passenger.

PC Richard Harrison said: “This was an unusual but nasty assault and I would like to speak to anyone who saw what happened.

“In particular, I would like to hear from a black man who tried to intervene. He may be able to assist with our enquiries.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Harrison on 101, quoting 44160475134 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.