Suspected cabbie-biter makes first appearance in court

COURTENAY, B.C- A man charged with aggravated assault after a cab driver lost their fingertip appeared in court today.

Peter Valdal was charged after an incident took place in Courtenay on April 28 in the 400 block of Ryan Road.

During the incident, a taxi driver with Comox Taxi lost one of their fingertips in an altercation with a passenger.

According to a news report from the Comox Valley Record,  the male driver had picked up the male passenger at the gazebo at Simms Park. The passenger then became aggressive, shortly after the ride began.

After the driver pulled over, the passenger attacked him, with the driver eventually exiting the vehicle. The passenger then left the taxi, attacking the driver outside, with the driver’s finger allegedly ending up in the passenger’s mouth.

The tip of the finger was then bitten off by the passenger, according to the news report.

An off-duty Comox Taxi driver discovered the incident and came to the aid of their co-worker. He then held the suspect until police could arrive.

The newspaper report indicates the finger was bitten off just below the nail.

The Comox Valley RCMP detachment later confirmed in a statement that an assault on a taxi driver occurred and that the passenger was arrested at the scene.

Valdal has a lengthy court record, with the most recent set of charges prior to the latest incident stemming from an assault in 2008.

During his court appearance on Thursday, Valdal did not have a lawyer. His case was then put over until June 14, in order for him to speak with counsel.

Asked for comment after leaving the courtroom, Valdal indicated he did not remember anything that had taken place during the incident. He declined to make any further comment.

Image Caption: Peter Valdal is pictured outside the Courtenay courthouse on May 31st, 2018. Photo by James Wood/98.9 The Goat/Vista Radio