Two arrested after Newbury taxi driver stabbed

Two boys have been arrested in connection with the stabbing of a taxi driver in Newbury.

The arrests  follow an incident which took place in Oaken Grove, Newbury, yesterday at approximately 10.15pm when the 42 year old cabbie suffered a stab wound after picking up a fare in Market Place, Newbury.

The taxi, a maroon coloured Skoda Superb initially  picked up the offenders in Market Place Newbury at around 10.02pm 

The boys then revealed a weapon, which was described as a large kitchen knife, and tried to rob the driver but were unsuccessful.

One of the youths then stabbed the driver once in the left hand side of his back, and he was taken to hospital where he was treated for a puncture wound. The unnamed cabbie has since been discharged from hospital. One of the boys, aged 15, from Newbury, was arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery and possession of a controlled class B drug. The other boy, also 15 and from Newbury, has been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent 

The arrested boys both remain in police custody. 

Investigating officer Detective Inspector Alice Broad, of Newbury CID, said: “I am appealing to anybody who may have witnessed this incident, or who saw the taxi picking up two teenage boys at around 10pm in the Market Place, to make contact with us. 

“I am particularly keen to hear from anybody who may have dash-cam footage from Market Place which may have picked up these boys getting into the taxi, and likewise, anybody who believes they may know who the offenders are. “The victim suffered a puncture wound, which thankfully, was not a serious injury, but this could have been far more serious. “The offenders did not succeed in taking anything from the victim and made their escape, but they also used a hammer or something similar to smash the two nearside windows of the taxi. “We are making house to house and further CCTV enquiries in this investigation, and I would urge anybody with any information, no matter how insignificant you believe this may be, to contact the 24-hour non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 43190135760. “Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or make a report online.”

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