...TIMES NEWARK COUPLE ATTACKED IN HOME


The owners of a taxi firm were beaten early on New Year’s Day by robbers in their own home. The couple, from North Muskham, were so badly beaten about the head they were admitted to hos- pital. The robbers escaped with what police describe as a quantity of cash, after one of


the busiest


nights of the year for the firm, Z Cars. A villager told the Newark Advertiser: “They are a really hard-working couple who have built a thriv- ing business and


taken on a whole pla- toon of new drivers recently. “It is terrifying that something like that could happen in such a quiet and peaceful village. It has left me feeling quite fright- ened.” The resident describ- ed the scene on New Year’s Day. “There were five police vehicles and officers were making


a


detailed search of the fields,” he said. A Nottinghamshire Police


spokesman


said: “A man and woman were found at


the property with vari- ous injuries consistent with a violent assault and taken to hospital in Lincoln. “Thankfully, in spite of their apparent terrify- ing ordeal, none of their injuries was life- threatening. They were discharged from hos- pital the same day and are now recuperating. “Officers have arrest- ed two 49-year-old men from the Newark on suspicion of rob- bery. They have been interviewed by detec- tives


pending


and bailed further


enquiries.” LEICESTER TAXI DRIVERS TARGETED


Two taxi drivers in Leicester have been robbed of their cars by a gang of men. The first incident hap- pened at about 8.30pm on Sunday January 15, when the taxi driver collected four men from Coombe Close, Leicester. The driver took the men to Thurcaston Road, near to Oaken- shaw Close, where they threatened him with two guns and demanded he hand over his takings and mobile phone. The driver handed over his belongings, got out of the car and watched as the men drove away towards David Avenue. The car has since been recovered and a gun believed to be involved in the inci- dent has also been found. The second incident happened on Monday


January 16 at about 6.20pm when a taxi driver was robbed by a group of three men in Trent Avenue. The driver had collect- ed the men from Peppercorn Close and stopped in Trent Avenue, where two of them threatened him with what have been described as two knives. The victim got out of the car, a silver Toyota Avensis, vehicle regis- tration number S144 APN, and the men drove off. Capital Radio reports that the men in both incidents have been described as being black and aged in their twenties. PC Tejas Mavani, an officer from the city licensing team, said: “We are now going to liaise with taxi drivers across the city to offer them some advice and to make them aware of


these incidents. “If you are a taxi driver and are the victim of a crime whilst driving always try and write down as much as you can about the incident. It’s important to try and remember des- criptions of the sus- pect(s) and also to preserve the scene. “Also don’t


resist.


Resistance can often encourage an angry and aggressive res- ponse and no item is worth being injured for.” A 17-year-old has been charged with two counts of robbery, car- rying an offensive weapon and being in possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. He will appear before Leices- ter Youth Court later. Three others arrested in connection with the robberies have been released on police bail.


A have-a-go hero saved a taxi driver who was punched to the ground and kicked by two men. The attack happened in Stilton on New Year’s Eve after the driver had taken a fare to The Talbot pub in North Street, shortly before midnight. The passengers


only


handed over £5 of the £15 fare and when the


BYSTANDER RESCUES CAMBRIDGE DRIVER 20,


driver threatened to call the police, the two men punched him to the ground and kicked him. Police have appealed for witnesses to come forward. A brave onlooker inter- vened and the victim managed to get back into his car and drive away. He suffered minor injuries. One of the offenders is


described as white, about


clean


shaven and with dark hair. He was wearing a black, sleeveless top and blue jeans. PC Suzanne Pickard, investigating, told the Cambridge News: “This was a nasty attack on a man who was simply doing his job.” Call her on 101 or Crimestoppers 0800 555111.


HARTLEPOOL DRIVER ATTACKED BY YOBS


A taxi driver suffered a cut face after being attacked by yobs who had kicked his cab. Police said the men booted a taxi as it headed along Avenue Road in Hartlepool, and when the driver stopped to check the damage he was punched by one of them near the junction with Lucan Street. Police are now appeal- ing for witnesses to


the incident that hap- pened at around 1.30am on Friday, December 23. A Cleveland Police spokeswoman told the Hartlepool Mail: “On getting out of the vehi- cle, the driver was approached by the two men and was punched in the face, causing a substantial cut to his eyebrow which required med- ical attention. The two


men then fled on to Victoria Road. “A large number of people were in the area at the time, fre- quenting pubs and clubs nearby, so it is believed there may be witnesses who haven’t yet come forward.” Anyone with informa- tion is asked to contact PC Neal Gill- son, of Hartlepool Police, on 01642 302110.


LOWESTOFT DRIVER CRASHES DURING ROBBERY


Two men are being hunted by Lowestoft police after attempting to rob a taxi driver and forcing him to crash. The drama unfolded in the early hours of New Year’s Day after the pair were picked up near the Winelodge on Bridge Road, Oulton Broad, having asked to be taken to Yarmouth Road. During the journey, the men made it clear they were not going to pay so the taxi driver then turned his VW Sharan into Yarmouth Road with the intention of


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driving to Lowestoft police station. As he did so, one of the men attempted to stop him. “One of the men put his arm around the driver’s neck and demanded money from him - caus- ing the driver to lose control of his car which then collided with a lamp post,” a police spokesman told the Lowestoft Journal. Both men then got out of the vehicle and ran along Yarmouth Road, one turning into Sta- tion Road. One of the men was


white, of big build with short, shaven hair. He was wearing a blue jumper. The second man was white, about 22, and he was wear- ing a red and black check shirt and jeans. A police spokesman confirmed


on


that


inquiries were continu- ing to identify the men, who were picked up at about 2.15am. She appealed for any- one with information to come forward. If you can help, call Lowestoft police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.


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