Bogus cabbie in chilling hammer attack

A GROUP of friends were attacked with a hammer after getting into what they thought was a taxi in Oldham.

In a chilling attack, the driver took the trio away from their destination, where another man helped with a savage assault.

The bizarre incident began when a man, his girlfriend and another woman got into what they believed was a private hire vehicle on Yorkshire Street after a night out.

The driver took them towards the man’s home but at Alt Lane, unexpectedly turned the car around and drove back towards the town centre.

He then stopped the car on Abbeyhills Road where another man pulled up in a car.

Both men then got out and dragged the victims out of the car. The man was hit a number of times on the head and body with a hammer. A DVD and video were also taken from them. Police are now appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident on Sunday, November 2, at sometime between 2.30 and 3.30am, to come forward.

Det Con Craig Morgan, from Oldham CID, said: “This was a bizarre set of circumstances that resulted in a group of friends enjoying a night out being savagely assaulted and robbed.

“We are making numerous inquiries to trace the drivers of both cars and I would appeal for the public to help us with our investigation. Did you see anything on Abbeyhills Road at about the time of the attack?

“I would urge anyone with information to come forward.”

Both men are described as Asian. The first was tall with black wavy hair. His accomplice was of stocky build and wearing a black top or jacket.

Anyone with information should call Oldham CID on 0161-856 8951 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.