Lancashire police traced down a thug who brutally attacked a private hire driver and found his £24,000 cannabis stash too.
Unsuspecting driver, William Wade from Bamber Bridge, picked up his customer on the 22nd of March 2016 from Conniston Drive.
The Attack
Mr Wade recalls how the passenger was completely intoxicated but he managed to work out where he wanted to go.
“I asked him to pay his outstanding fare – that’s when he became violent.”
He said: “He was very drunk but I managed to work out that he wanted to go to Lostock Hall.”
On the way his passenger, 30 year old Stuart Snape, asked him to stop as he was feeling sick.
Mr Wade continues: “He asked me to stop on Brownedge Road to be sick so I did.
“I said that I didn’t want to take him any further. asked him to pay his outstanding fare – that’s when he became violent.”
Stuart Snape then accused Mr Wade of stealing his phone and proceeded to attack him.
Mr Wade said: “He shouted that I’d nicked his mobile then punched me and ran off.”
Private Hire Driver Makes a Recovery
An extremely shaken Mr Wade was taken to hospital where he received treatment to fix his broken jaw.
“Even though I’ve had treatment I’m still getting constant toothache and slurring my words.”
He said: “My jaw was broken and had to be re-set. Even though I’ve had treatment I’m still getting constant toothache and slurring my words.”
Mr Wade is receiving on-going treatment for his injuries and still can’t find the confidence to do a nightshift.
He said: “The last six or seven months have been a nightmare, I haven’t been able to do my usual nightshift work. Instead I’ve been taxiing through the day on Saturdays and Sundays to make up the money.
“I’ve been trying to get back to it but I had a panic attack the first time I tried.
“I wanted to start back last weekend but the England match was on and the night I got attacked they were also playing. It seems silly but it just makes me think ‘what if’.”
Surprise Find
Lancashire Police found Stuart Snape’s mobile phone at the side of the road where he had been sick leading them to home four days later.
When completing a search of his property they found his cannabis farm worth £24,000 growing in the loft. Mr Snape was also found guilty of abstracting electricity in order to run the farm.
With the news that Stuart Snape is in prison, Mr Wade can start to rebuild his confidence.
He commented: “My son would rather I didn’t work nights any more but now Snape has gone to jail I can start to get my life back.”