WARNING, GRAPHIC IMAGES AND FOOTAGE: Taxi driver Kadir Bicer’s dashcam footage shows the moment he was allegedly set upon, suffering injuries that left him in a coma
Dashcam footage captures the moment a British boxer allegedly attacked a taxi driver by repeatedly trying to bite his nose and gouging his eyes.
Video of the alleged “monstrous” attack shows the altercation between fighter Ross Kitchen and Kadir Bicer, before the cabbie was left fighting for his life on a busy highway in Turkey. The case was heard at the 18th High Criminal Court at the Caglayan courthouse in Istanbul, Turkey, on November 4.
Prosecutors say Mr Bicer, 56, picked up Kitchen at Istanbul Airport for a journey into the city in Eyupsultan on April 25 this year. Dashcam footage shows the boxer seemingly becoming agitated in the back seat before allegedly attacking Bicer while he was at the wheel.
Kitchen, who says he acted in panic because he thought he was being kidnapped – but could face up to 33 years in a Turkish prison if convicted – was sat in the back of the taxi when the events unfolded.
The boxer appears to lean forward and grab at the driver’s arm, before seemingly slipping one arm around his throat and using the other to twist Mr Bicer’s face towards his mouth.
At one point, while the taxi is still in busy traffic, Kitchen seems to claw the struggling driver’s nose towards his jaw. The boxer then seemingly jams his fingers in the cabbie’s eyes, blinding him while they are surrounded by other cars.
Moments later, Kitchen is seen grappling on the ground with the driver, who had managed to pull over and escape from the cab.
The boxer is accused of leaving his alleged victim for dead at the roadside and it was a fellow cabbie who spotted him lying unconscious and called paramedics and police. Mr Bicer was taken to hospital and spent time in a coma.
Police arrested Kitchen after the incident and a court later remanded him in custody pending trial.
In court, Kitchen said he suffered from panic attacks. He told the court: “I wasn’t feeling well even before coming to Turkey. I thought I was being kidnapped. That’s why I attacked.”
Meanwhile, Mr Bicer claimed the brawl erupted over the taxi fare. He said: “On the day of the incident, the suspect got into my car.
“I was told he would pay $40 [£30] to go to Taksim, but I said I’d only charge what the meter shows.”
The victim also accused Kitchen of stealing 60,000 Turkish Lira (£1,094) and €45 (£40) from his car and pocket.
Mr Bicer said the alleged assault left him with lasting effects, adding: “Part of my face is still numb, I can’t see from one eye, I lost some movement, and at night I wake up screaming. I want justice.”
Prosecutors charged Kitchen with “aggravated intentional injury causing bone fractures with monstrous sentiment” and “aggravated robbery,” seeking a prison sentence of 13 to 33 years.
The court ordered Kitchen to remain in custody ahead of his trial.
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