Taxi driver’s cab stolen by passengers after attack in Leamington Spa

The driver was parked in the taxi rank opposite Kokos at about 1.15am.

His taxi was facing the wrong direction pointing towards the Parade and he was parked adjacent to the junction with Bedford Street.

A female asked him to take her to the River Cross restaurant on Emscote Road.

He agreed and she asked him to wait for her boyfriend.

Two minutes later two males got into the taxi, who came across from outside KoKos.

The driver turned the taxi around and drove down Warwick Street where he stopped at the traffic lights, at the junction with Dale Street.

At this point the male passengers because abusive and aggressive.

The driver stopped the taxi on Warwick Place near Bertie Terrace but one of the men got out and pulled the driver from the taxi.

Both men then have started kicking and punching the driver.

The female passenger tried to intervene and at this point another passing taxi driver came over and called 999.

A group of girls also stopped to help.

On seeing this the offenders have driven off in the taxi.

The stolen taxi was later recovered in Rock Mill Lane, near to Jewsons and the Vauxhall garage near the lights.

One of the men is described as a white , 25 to 30 years old, about 6ft tall, of stocky build and with short brown hair.

The other is described as white, about 19 or 20 years old, 5ft 8ins tall, of muscular build, and with brown hair.

He was wearing a grey shirt.

The female is described as white, 20 years old, 5ft 6ins of medium build, with brown shoulder length hair and wearing a pink blouse and white trousers.

Officers are appealing for any witnesses to contact Sgt Jonathan Belcher on 415000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.