Violent Wave Hits Students
The recent crime spate in Oxford escalated this week with three students from Wadham College being viciously attacked on Wednesday evening.
First year student Alisdair Townsend was the victim of an unprovoked attack on Cornmarket Street early in the evening. He had been walking to the Purple Turtle with friends David Stoddart and Ollie Buckley.
The attackers, two men and a woman, who were all in their mid-20s, turned on Townsend unexpectedly, and repeatedly punched him. He was tackled to the ground before being brutally kicked in the face by his female aggressor, who was wearing a pair of heeled shoes.
Stoddart felt unable to assist his friend against the attack, and told The OxStu that the violence was "completely unnecessary". Buckley added: "It was a disgracefully unprovoked attack, but something that we have come to expect from Oxford City centre".
The attackers were later arrested, and found to be already out on parole for Grievous Bodily Harm.
The second incident happened at 11.30pm the same night, at the Wadham student accommodation in Summertown. On this occasion two female students were assaulted and mugged at knifepoint, though neither was seriously injured.
Mike Sauvage, Domestic Bursar at Wadham, immediately issued an email advising students: "While there is relatively little that can be done in the face of an unprovoked attack, you are advised to be aware of the dangers of moving around the city at night".
The attackers were later found in a stolen car and arrested. The incidents are not thought in any way to be related.
Meanwhile, police are appealing for information regarding a case of indecent assault that occurred in the Purple Turtle on Sunday 25th January.
The assault took place in the female toilets of the Union-owned club at around 10pm. The offender is described as a tall black man with prominent cheekbones, and is known to have frequented the PT on three or four consecutive evenings prior to the night of the offence.
The Manager of the PT, Lance Cowan, has described the incident as "very unfortunate," but stresses that it is the "first of its kind" to occur in the club. Clare Mackintosh of Oxford CID told The OxStu that she has "no reason to believe that this incident is part of a series."
The police are urging anyone who may know, recognise or have spoken to the offender to come forward: "We want any information, however small", emphasised Mackintosh.
If you have any information, DC Mackintosh can be contacted directly on 01865 266176, or anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0845 555111.
12th Feb 2004