The Fairer Sex, Pt 579925

A Southend taxi driver was viciously assaulted and suffered cardiac arrest after a row over just two pounds during his shift.

The man, in his 50s, is believed to have been dropping female teenage passengers off in Ness Road, Shoebury, at about 10.15pm on Wednesday.

Witnesses told The Echo the incident was over a £2 shortage for a fare.

The driver works for Southend-based AC Radio Cabs. It is understood that he suffered a head injury and cardiac arrest after being allegedly shoved to the ground.

I know what you're thinking, their equally scummy teenage boyfriends stepped in to defend their fair maidens. But oh, no.

A witness, Ross Henery, 34, from Campfield Road, was in another taxi near the incident when he heard the girls and the taxi driver arguing over a fare. He said: “The girls kept saying they only had £10 and I think the disagreement was over a £12 charge, so literally over £2. The driver was holding one of the girls with reasonable force trying to wait for the police to arrive.”

A witness, who asked not to be named, said he was woken up by the sound of a girl screaming. He saw a girl pushed the driver. (sic) During the scuffle the man was alleged to have fallen to the floor.

He said: “The noise of him hitting the pavement was so loud.”

Three teenage girls have been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm.

Lovely!