Hat clue in taxi driver stabbing

File photo / Martin Sykes

Police hope a hat left by a man who stabbed a Wellington taxi driver a week ago may help identify the offender.

Shlemon Yako, 60, from Baghdad, was stabbed in the chest and abdomen by a man he picked up during the early hours of Saturday morning.

The stabbing happened in Shropshire Ave, Wilton about 12.30am, after Mr Yako picked up the fare at the Bay Road taxi rank in Kilbirnie about 12.15am.

"The victim was very lucky his injuries were not life-threatening, given the seriousness and potential consequences of such an attack," said acting Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Dunn, of Wellington CIB

He said the offender left a blue New Era baseball-style cap in the taxi.

"We know that New Era caps are very popular but we want to know, do you know a male who wears this type of hat, and who hasn't worn it since early Saturday morning?" Mr Dunn said today.

The offender was described as a short Maori or Pacific Islander, aged about 20 years, of thin build. He was wearing a blue or black hooded jacket, white shoes and blue or black trousers, possibly jeans.

The attacker fled the taxi after the stabbing and ran up a stairway at the end of Shropshire Ave but police were unsure of his movements after that.

"This indicates that the offender may have a connection in some way to the Wilton area," Mr Dunn said.

"It's not clear what the offender's motive was, given that he didn't take any cash or property when fleeing, and no demands were made."

Police think the man would have had a significant amount of blood on his clothing.

"We appeal to anyone who has had a family member, friend or partner who may have come home in the early hours of Saturday morning with bloodied clothing, keen to either dispose of it or wash it."

Police are also asking any Kilbirnie retailers or businesses, like food outlets, which were open in the early hours of Saturday, to contact police if they recall seeing a man fitting the description.

"We really need help from the public to help us identify this offender," said Mr Dunn.

- NZPA