The driver, who did not wish to be named, said a snooker ball was thrown through the rear window of his taxi after he dropped off a fare in the predominantly loyalist village on the outskirts of the city.

The man believes he was targeted because he works for a cityside taxi firm. “I lifted a three people from the office and took them to Dunhugh Park and then one girl asked me to take her on to Newbuildings.

“It was just before 2am so I thought it would be quiet enough and agreed. Just after I dropped her off I turned to go back to Derry and that is when I was attacked,” he said.

The driver said he heard a loud bang and initially thought a shot had been fired at his car.

“As I was driving away I heard a bang and heard the back window smash. I didn’t look around because I didn’t know what was happening and just wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible.

“I actually thought that someone was shooting at the car because of the loud bang. It definitely sounded like a gunshot. I drove on and then stopped down the road and that is when I found that a snooker ball had been thrown through the window,” he said.

‘Shot out’

The man also suggested the snooker ball may have been shot out of something because of the force with which it hit his window.

“It must have been going very fast and I heard a loud bang like a gunshot so I think the ball must have been fired from some sort of a gun,” he said.

He also said the attack would put him off travelling to Newbuidings again.

“I have been there before and never had any trouble but I won’t be going back again after this, it’s too dangerous.

“If I got attacked with a passenger in the car someone could be seriously injured or worse,” he said.

A PSNI spokesperson said the police are investigating the incident.

“It is understood the damage may have been caused by a snooker ball.

Witness appeal

Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact police on 0845 600 8000 or the 'Crimestoppers' charity on 0800 555 111,” he said.