Taxi driver recalls shock of being held at knifepoint

Mohammed Afzal, who works at family business Dial A Ride Bradford & Shipley Taxis, says he was attacked on Market Street, Shipley, in the early hours of Sunday.

Following the start of his shift, at around 3am, he says a male and female entered his vehicle after calling for a cab to be sent to the traffic lights near the BP petrol station.

Once in the car, Mr Afzal says a knife was held at his throat while he was asked to hand the pair any cash that was in the car.

After initially giving them £30 in coins, he said the woman demanded: “We want notes, or I will slice you.”

Mr Afzal said he handed over £120 in notes before the pair scarpered into Shipley town centre following the two-minute altercation.

Describing his ordeal, Mr Afzal said he was calm during the incident but has been haunted by the shock ever since.

He said: “I was calm at the time and was praised by police for my reaction.

“I have since developed a cold, so I am not sure if that is to do with the shock. “It lasted two minutes with the man and woman after money.

“I gave them £30 in change that was in my holder then the woman who had the blade said ‘I will slice you’ if you do not hand over the notes.

“I felt the knife press down on my neck. I gave them the £120 in notes to bring the total up to £150.

“They took the money then fled to Shipley Town centre. I saw a police car on the way to another incident and tracked it down before going to the police station.”

• A man and a woman have been charged in relation to the incident. Police say Joseph Coultous, 29, of Otley Road, and Emma Coultous, 27, of Farringdon Drive, Holme Wood, are due to appear at Bradford Magistrates' Court on May 3, 2022.