Cabbie attacked by fare dodgers

A taxi driver needed hospital treatment after he was attacked by two men who refused to pay their fare.

Warwickshire Police said the black cab driver was assaulted early on Sunday outside the Newdegate Sports and Social Club on Smorrall Lane in Bedworth.

One man smashed through a plastic screen and hit the cabbie as he tried to drive to the police station.

When the driver stopped and tried to run away, both men chased him and one hit him over the head with a weapon.

Police believe he was struck with a wheel spanner taken from inside the taxi.

The two men, who had been picked up in Mill Street at about 0100 GMT, ran off across the social club car park and into the playing fields behind.

It was later found they had taken a small cash float from the taxi.

The taxi driver managed to drive himself to the George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton where he received stitches to wounds on both sides of his head.

Police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.