By David Crawshaw

A TAXI driver repeatedly stabbed a passenger in a fight over a large fare, according to the victim's friends.

The victim – known only as Matteo – was stabbed in his upper body and hand by the cabbie who picked him up from Darling Harbour at around 2.30am.

Friends of Matteo, 28, a Sydney-based graphic designer originally from Italy, told The Daily Telegraph he was attacked after he refused to pay a $38 fare.

They said the cabbie had racked up the fare by taking a longer route than needed from the CBD to Matteo's home on Campbell Pde, Bondi, in Sydney's east.

One friend, Luiz Pereira, said Matteo offered to pay $25 for the trip, but the cabbie refused. When the cabbie stopped on Bondi Rd, Mr Pereira said he allegedly threatened Matteo with a knife when he got out of the taxi.

It is alleged Matteo said: "What are you going to do? Kill me?", before the cabbie grabbed him and stabbed him when he turned away.

The cab driver took off, leaving Matteo bleeding on the roadside.

Matteo then struggled to a friend's flat on Bondi Rd, where he got help from Mr Pereira's flatmates – Luke Chagas and Daniel Granata.

They called an ambulance and police, who closed off Bondi Rd and set up a crime scene where Matteo had left a blood trail.

Mr Pereira described Matteo as a "good guy" who was "well liked" by his friends in the Bondi area.

Police have called for any witnesses who saw the attack to come forward. Inspector Brenton Lee said he was "fairly confident" the cab driver owned the knife that was used in the attack.

He said forensic officers had also seized a number of items from the crime scene, which were also now being examined.

A NSW Taxi Industry spokeswoman said they were cooperating with police in their investigations.

She said the industry had also handed over data from its Global Positioning System to police which could help them locate the cab.

A Prince of Wales Hospital spokeswoman said Matteo was in a stable condition last night.

Police are expected to formally interview him today.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Killed-cabbies-daughter-tells-of-grief/2007/04/20/1176697055442.html

By David Crawshaw

A TAXI driver repeatedly stabbed a passenger in a fight over a large fare, according to the victim's friends.

The victim – known only as Matteo – was stabbed in his upper body and hand by the cabbie who picked him up from Darling Harbour at around 2.30am.

Friends of Matteo, 28, a Sydney-based graphic designer originally from Italy, told The Daily Telegraph he was attacked after he refused to pay a $38 fare.

They said the cabbie had racked up the fare by taking a longer route than needed from the CBD to Matteo's home on Campbell Pde, Bondi, in Sydney's east.

One friend, Luiz Pereira, said Matteo offered to pay $25 for the trip, but the cabbie refused. When the cabbie stopped on Bondi Rd, Mr Pereira said he allegedly threatened Matteo with a knife when he got out of the taxi.

It is alleged Matteo said: "What are you going to do? Kill me?", before the cabbie grabbed him and stabbed him when he turned away.

The cab driver took off, leaving Matteo bleeding on the roadside.

Matteo then struggled to a friend's flat on Bondi Rd, where he got help from Mr Pereira's flatmates – Luke Chagas and Daniel Granata.

They called an ambulance and police, who closed off Bondi Rd and set up a crime scene where Matteo had left a blood trail.

Mr Pereira described Matteo as a "good guy" who was "well liked" by his friends in the Bondi area.

Police have called for any witnesses who saw the attack to come forward. Inspector Brenton Lee said he was "fairly confident" the cab driver owned the knife that was used in the attack.

He said forensic officers had also seized a number of items from the crime scene, which were also now being examined.

A NSW Taxi Industry spokeswoman said they were cooperating with police in their investigations.

She said the industry had also handed over data from its Global Positioning System to police which could help them locate the cab.

A Prince of Wales Hospital spokeswoman said Matteo was in a stable condition last night.

Police are expected to formally interview him today.

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21601262-5001021,00.html