TODAY we report on two shocking incidents which would severely test anyone's faith in human nature.

In one case, York taxi driver Richard Jackson was punched and kicked without warning by a punter - because of a 60p waiting charge.

In the other, a 38-year-old woman was left traumatised after a "cycle rage" incident in which another cyclist knocked her off her bike then threatened to punch her.

Mr Jackson, a private hire driver, said his assailant kicked his head "like a football" as he lay on the ground, after being told he would have to pay a 60p waiting charge when he was picked up in Foxwood, at about 10pm on Sunday.

The woman cyclist, meanwhile, was riding along the path from Lendal Bridge to Clifton Bridge when a male cyclist coming the other way knocked her off her bike as he passed, then launched into a torrent of abuse and threatened her.

"It was terrifying," she said. "If there hadn't been anyone else around, I really think he would have thumped me."

What is most worrying about these two incidents is the trivial nature of the incident that caused them. An argument over 60p; and two cyclists on a narrow path.

Why do we fly off the handle so easily these days? Whatever happened to good old Yorkshire courtesy? We are forever wringing our hands about badly-behaved young people. But what sort of example are we setting them?

As we also report today, York will be missing out on one of the nearly 80 supernannies' that Tony Blair hopes will help sort out the behaviour of young people across the country.

What a shame. We really do need a supernanny here - not to keep the youngsters under control, but to teach bad-tempered adults how to behave.