Met Police appeal for London cabbie witness

Detectives in Westminster are appealing for witnesses and information after a woman was repeatedly hit with a bottle in the back of a taxi in central London.

The victim, a woman aged in her 20s, had been out with family when she hailed a London Black Taxi outside the Palace Theatre in Shaftsbury Avenue at about 02:35hrs on Sunday, 18 March

The victim and her family got into the taxi when two unknown men got in and asked if they could be dropped around the corner. The taxi driver declined as there were too many passengers and he would lose his licence. 

One of the men got out, but the other refused and got into an argument with the victim. The suspect then started to push one of victim’s relatives. The victim pulled the suspect off her relative. The suspect then pulled out a small glass bottle of vodka and repeatedly hit the victim over the head with it until he was dragged off.

The victim collapsed onto the floor of the taxi and the suspect fled the scene.

The taxi driver took the victim to a north London hospital. She required stitches before being discharged later that day.

The suspect is described as a white man, aged in his late 20s to early 30s, with short light brown curly hair. He was wearing a light blue checkered shirt and jeans; he spoke with an Irish accent.

Detectives from Westminster’s Serious Crime Unit are investigating and are keen to speak to the taxi driver.

He is described as an Asian man, aged about 40 to 50 years old, with short dark hair. He was wearing a light blue shirt. 

Any witnesses or with anyone with information is asked to call police on 020 7321 8296 or 101 or Tweet @MetCC. Information can also be reported to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org