EXCLUSIVE By Adam Lazzari TWO rewards of �250 are being offered for information after the chairman of the Wisbech taxi drivers association after his car was attacked one night and he had money stolen the next night. Dave Patrick, 51, chairman of the Wi

EXCLUSIVE

By Adam Lazzari

TWO rewards of �250 are being offered for information after the chairman of the Wisbech taxi drivers' association after his car was attacked one night and he had money stolen the next night.

Dave Patrick, 51, chairman of the Wisbech and District Hackney Carriage Drivers Association is so angry he is offering half of the reward himself.

The other half is being up by the association.

Mr Patrick said: "The Wisbech area is a very close knit community and in 13 years as a taxi driver I've never experienced anything like this.

"The association wants to send out the message that we will not tolerate assault or criminal damage on any of our members."

Mr Patrick's nightmare began at 1am on Saturday at Emneth Central Hall where an 18th birthday party was being held.

He said: "I went to pick up three lads. Two came running out and jumped in the taxi. The third then appeared and he was getting quite a beating.

"He was punched in the face and kicked when he was down. He got into the taxi and a group of around 10 to 20 lads came running out baying for blood.

"They were shaking the taxi and kicking it. They did about �800 worth of damage. I have never been so terrified in my life. I just reversed and drove away.

The following night at around 10.30pm Mr Patrick had a cash tray containing about �120 stolen.

He was parked in the Horsefair Shopping Centre, Wisbech.

Mr Patrick said: "A bloke got into the car and I told him I was reserved for somebody else. A few seconds later I saw money scattering everywhere. I looked under my seat and saw the cash tray was gone.

"I followed him and kept saying 'you're a thief, give me my money back' and he continued to walk away. I wanted to floor him but I knew, if I touched him I'd be in trouble for assault."

Mr Patrick said the man was white, in his early 20s, and wearing a black jacket and under 6ft tall.

He does not believe the two incidents are linked.

He said: "We will pay a �250 reward to anyone who provides police with information that leads to the prosecution of anyone involved in either of these incidents."

Anyone with information should contact Cambridgeshire Police on 0345 456 4564 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.