Police hunt Perth taxi thug after assaults

DETECTIVES are hunting a thug who assaulted two women and a taxi driver in a series of assaults near Perth city centre.

The women, who were passengers in the taxi, were attacked when they went to the aid of the taxi driver after he was assaulted by a man outside his cab in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The man had got into the taxi, already occupied by the two women, but was told to leave by the taxi driver after he began verbally assaulting the women. He attacked the driver and then punched and kicked the women in the head and body when they tried to intervene.

A spokesman for the Tayside division of Police Scotland said the assaults had taken place about 3.15am on Sunday in North Methven Street, Perth.

He said: “A male described as white, in his late 20s, 5ft 6ins tall, of slim build with a slim face with stubble on his chin and short dark hair, wearing a blue long sleeved shirt, blue denim jeans, and dark shoes entered a silver Vauxhall Zafira taxi in Murray Street which was already occupied by two females.

“After a short distance the taxi stopped in North Methven Street, after the male verbally abused those within. The male was told to leave the taxi which he did, but promptly assaulted the taxi driver and went on to assault the two females who exited the vehicle to help the taxi driver.”

The spokesman continued “The females were struck a number of times by the male who punched and kicked them about the face and body. The females were injured as a result of this attack and required hospital treatment.”

He added: “There were a number of people in the area at the time and it is believed that the incident may have been witnessed by passers by. Police ask anyone with information in relation to the incident to contact Police Scotland.”