Cabby threatens woman with nightstick and causes her to fall and injure herself
A taxi driver turned abusive and threatened to beat STOMPer YC's Vietnamese wife up after an argument in which he waved a nightstick around, causing her to fall and injure herself.
The incident took place near Yishun Chong Pang CC on Apr 6, and started when the driver had refused to pick her up as he already had a passenger on board, despite the 'For Hire' sign on the taxi roof.
Said the STOMPer:
"We often hear stories of taxi drivers being robbed or mugged.
"This is a true story of a rogue taxi driver who behaved like a thug.
"My spouse was the unfortunate victim of the assault.
"She was waiting for a cab at Yishun Chong Pang CC near Block 110 at 4am on Apr 6 with a friend.
"A green lighted comfort cab came along. to their surprise, there was a lady passenger next to the driver.
"The driver indicated he was not picking up passengers.
"My wife was frustrated because she had missed a second cab that drove off.
"She asked the driver why the busy sign was not on? The driver was arrogant and aggressive saying he did not like to pick them.
"My wife muttered that he should not be driving if he is not picking up passenger.
"The driver and his friend came out of the cab and continued the altercation. At this point, my wife's friend sensed something was not right and apologised to the driver.
"She then spoke in Vietnamese to my wife to move off.
"The driver became extremely agitated sensing they were foreigners, and shouted that he wanted to beat them up.
"My wife was shocked and angry and threatened to call the police. The driver then shouted that he was a Singaporean and could beat up foreigners!
"He then retrieved a black object (it looked like a police nightstick) and waved it menacingly.
"My wife retreated and fell, bleeding from her chin, knees and elbows.
"Some passers-by called the police and ambulance.
"A police report was made and my wife was send to the accident and emergency section of Khoo Teck Puat Hospital.
"What was amazing was the driver was not arrested, nor was the weapon confiscated.
"The officer told my wife that she could sue if she liked.
"This is the part I don't understand, why did the officer not arrest a thuggish driver who possessed an unlawful weapon and who had run afoul of the law?
"Why is it necessary for me to take up civil action against the driver?
"This is a clear case of intimidation, assault and bigotry.
"I need to lodge this report because the authorities need to realize there is a breed of rogue taxi drivers that are violent, arrogant, lawless and anti-foreigner.
"I said breed because I have heard many stories of rogue drivers. For the record, my wife is a PR and living here for the past seven years.
"I hope the authorities will take the necessary action to weed out such drivers who tarnish the good image of taxi drivers."
