An Uber driver felled an elderly pneumonia patient with a boot in the back because she’d allegedly left biscuit crumbs in his car.
CCTV footage shows how Lucas Felipe Carneiro, 26, ran after Maria de Fátima Silva Pires, 68, and followed her through the gate to her block of flats.
She was completely unaware she was being pursued when he kicked her to the ground from behind.
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The driver then coldly turned around and fled.
After Maria was knocked down, the doorman rushed over to help pick her up.
The pensioner says the assault in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has left her with back pain, leg pain, and mobility struggles.
She was on her way back from a pneumonia check-up at the doctor’s when the violence unfolded.
Maria told local media: “I was eating a biscuit when we stopped at the building, and he said to me, ‘Now, you’re going to clean the seat.’
“I was stunned and didn’t say anything.
“I got out of the car, and then what happened was he ran after me, kicked me in the back, and knocked me to the ground.
“I’m already an elderly woman, and my right side is affected, and I’m in a lot of pain.”
The police managed to identify Carneiro two days later last Friday (31 Feb), despite the car not being in his name.
He was accompanied by two lawyers when he was questioned on Wednesday (5 Feb).
Officer Ângelo Lages said: “He did indeed confess to the crime, and to our shock, the reason was actually because biscuit crumbs had fallen on the seat.
“He kicked her in a completely cowardly way. She’s a 68-year-old woman, and he’s 26.
“He says he’s been receiving psychiatric treatment since he was 18, takes controlled medication, and has anger and bipolar episodes.
“Because of that, he claims he got stressed by the situation, lost control, and assaulted the victim.”
Carneiro was banned from Uber and is facing charges of bodily harm.
He has a criminal record for licence plate tampering, as reported by Need To Know.
Pires will undergo further medical checks.
An Uber spokesperson said: “Uber regrets the incident and considers any use of violence unacceptable.
“The driver’s account was banned from the platform as soon as the company became aware of the case.
“Uber confirms that all trips are covered by insurance and remains available to cooperate with the relevant authorities, in accordance with the law.”
They added: “The company emphasises that it has a dedicated team ready to assist authorities and an exclusive portal for data requests in criminal investigations or prosecutions.
“This portal operates 24/7 to process requests while fully complying with the country’s privacy laws, particularly the Marco Civil da Internet.”
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