Oz man bites off finger to avoid interrogation

Geelong (Australia), Jan 19: Fearing interrogation after racially attacking an Indian driver, an Australian man tried to bite off this finger, a Geelong court heard.

Geelong Magistrates' Court was told by the Victoria Police that Andrew Madden tried to break his finger, including biting off a large part of his hand to evade police interrogation.

"Prior to being interviewed he tried to break his finger and pulled it out of its joint, and took a big bite out of the webbing of his hand to try to get hospitalised and avoid being interviewed," Corio Detective Senior Constable Ben Melis said in a newspaper report.

According to Melis, the taxi driver who was punched, threatened and racially abused by Madden in Norlane on Saturday night, Jan 16, was 'clearly terrified and horrified'.

Police said that 24-year-old Madden got into an argument over payment after he got into the cab with his Robert Harvey, 21.

"There was an argument about pre-payment of $20 for the fare where both refused to pay. Robert Harvey became very aggressive and threatened the victim saying he was going to stab him," Melis said.

He added that the Harvey used abusive language and punched the driver on his head demanding money and the car keys.

"He said 'I'm going to f*** you over and repeatedly referred to him as a black c****. His ultimate intention was to steal the motor vehicle," he added.

The Court after hearing the argument, Madden was denied bail.

OneIndia News