Gang attack cabbie (From This is Hampshire)

Gang attack cabbie

8:40am Friday 10th July 2009 in

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POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a gang of men attacked a taxi driver north of Winchester.

A group of around eight men with Irish accents got into a blue Fiat minibus at the White Hart pub in Worthing Road, Basingstoke.

They asked to be driven to a premises on the A33 in Micheldever but once there they attacked the 34-year-old driver.

The group repeatedly punched the victim before stealing his bank card, driving licence and £130 in cash.

The attackers then fled the scene and the victim raised the alarm. He was taken to Basingstoke's North Hampshire Hospital where he was treated for bruising to his neck and face.

The attack happened between 11.30 and 11.45pm last Wednesday (July 8).

Det Con James Richardson said: "Thankfully this kind of incident is rare, and it appears as if the cab driver was identified as a vulnerable target by the suspects.

"I would appeal to anyone who saw the men get into the cab outside the White Hart pub to contact me. I am also keen to speak with anyone who saw any suspicious men in Micheldever late on the night of the attack."

Anyone with any information should contact Det Con Richardson at Winchester CID on 0845 045 45 45 or call the anonymous Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

A 22-year-old man from the Micheldever area has been arrested in connection with the incident and is currently helping police with their enquiries.