Oxford taxi driver receives ‘significant’ injury to his eye after serious unprovoked assault

Thames Valley Police officers are appealing for witnesses following an unprovoked assault of a taxi driver who received significant injury to his eye.

At around 2.15am on Thursday 28 October a taxi driver dropped off a customer opposite Bodrum restaurant, on Cowley Road at the junction of Manzil Way.

A female ran up to the taxi, opened the door, grabbed the taxi driver, a man in his forties, and punched him several times. According to police sources two other men, then also assaulted the man, with one punching him with a metal object in hand.

A short while later, one of the men came back and tried to approach the taxi driver again, this male then ran off towards the O2 Academy Oxford.

The victim received a significant injury to his eye, which will require ongoing treatment.

During the incident a mobile phone holder from the taxi was taken, as well as £140 in cash, the taxi also sustained some damage.

The female is described as white, around seventeen years old, around 5ft 8ins tall, medium build, with light mousey hair and a round face. She was wearing a grey sweat top and spoke with a local accent.

The first man is described as black, possibly Somalian, around 6ft tall, slim build, wearing a dark black coat, and dark trousers.

The second man is described as white, in his early twenties, around 5ft 10ins tall, stocky build and clean-shaven. He was wearing a baseball cap, a grey tracksuit top with a logo across the chest and matching tracksuit bottoms. He was also wearing a silver chain.

Investigating officer, PC Melody Blanc based at Cowley Police Station, said: “This was an unprovoked attack on a taxi driver, who was subjected to a serious assault.

“We are carrying out a thorough investigation and following a number of lines of enquiry.

“This happened on the Cowley Road, when there were a number of people in the vicinity.

“We are asking anyone with information to please come forward, or if they were driving along Cowley Road at the time of the assault and have dash-cam footage, which shows anything that may assist our investigation then please do get in touch.

“Anyone with information can go online How to tell us about an existing case or report | Thames Valley Police or call 101 quoting reference 43210485906.

“Or if you wish to report anonymously you can so by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”