Mum claims Uber driver punched her and called her a ‘black b****’

A 27-YEAR-OLD mum claims her first Uber journey ended with her getting punched in the face and called a “black b****”.

Uber driver ‘punched me in face’

A BRITISH mum claims her first Uber journey ended in horror when she was punched by the driver in a racist attack.

Taleka White, 27, alleges the Asian cabbie called her a “black ****” and “black b****” in a row over having to make more than one drop off.

She says she was dragged out of the taxi and punched twice in the face in the early hours of Sunday.

Ms White, a non-emergency paramedic, says she has been left unable to work because of injuries to her hands. She shared images of her injuries on Twitter including a lump on her head and bloodied wrist and knuckles.

Ms White, who has a four-year-old son, ordered an Uber cab after a night out with a friend in Croydon and they agreed to make two stops.

She says the row erupted when the friend told the driver he had missed the turn for her road. He allegedly racially abused her for the rest of the journey and assaulted her when they arrived outside her parents’ house in Addiscombe, south London.

She says she was punched twice by an Uber driver.

Ms White says wounds to her hands means she cannot work.

“I put my hands up and was screaming to get my mum’s attention and he punched me again. I went flying down the road and landed on my face. He ran into his car and drove off,” she said.

“It has left me feeling shaken up and frightened. At the time I was shocked and confused scared of what he might do.”

Scotland Yard said officers were called out to an assault in the early hours of Sunday but no arrests had been made.

Mobile taxi hire firm Uber said in a statement: “Violence and discrimination of any kind is unacceptable and is not tolerated by Uber. If serious incidents are reported it is our policy to deactivate the partner-driver while we investigate.

“Safety of riders and partner-drivers alike is our number one priority, and we will co-operate with the relevant authorities fully during their investigation.”

Ms White said Uber told her the driver has been suspended but she says it is “terrible” that he could leave the company and work for another firm.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission.