New Malden: Police are hunting a minicab driver who hit a passenger in the face with an iron bar after he said he had lost his wallet.

The 34-year-old man was taken to Kingston Hospital with a fractured left eye socket and cuts and bruises to his face.

He was later transferred to St George's Hospital in Tooting where he was detained while doctors established if he had suffered permanent damage to his left eye.

The business analyst was attacked outside his home in Elm Road, New Malden, between 3.45am and 4am on Saturday.

He had hailed a minicab to take him back to New Malden from Kensington, but when the driver pulled up outside his home the passenger discovered he had lost his wallet.

He stepped out of the car and went to explain the situation to the driver but as he did so the driver picked up the metal bar and struck him in the face before speeding off.

Police only have sketchy details of the minicab, which is believed to be a dark coloured Ford Granada Scorpio.

But the victim described the driver as being of Turkish origin, aged 40, around 5ft 6ins, with short black hair.

Anyone who has information on this crime should telephone DC John Fitzgerald on 020 8541 1212.

December 27, 2001 23:30