Van driver attacked innocent bystanders

9:06pm Tuesday 12th August 2008

A van driver with suspected mental health problems attacked pedestrians and cyclists during a series of unprovoked attacks.

One of his victims, a 57-year-old man from the West Midlands, was punched to the ground in Bladon while walking to Churchill's grave.

He said: "The guy pulled up and got out of his van and just started beating me for no reason at all.

"He just laid into me with both fists. He knocked me down into the road and my glasses came off.

"This other guy stopped and tried to calm him and he started attacking him and then got in the van, did a three-point turn and drove off. I was scared and my wife was terrified."

Police spokesman Toby Shergold said a 17-year-old boy was punched in the face in Bloxham, at 11.45am on Sunday. A cyclist was punched and kicked in Kidlington, then a pedestrian was punched in the head in Woodstock, both at about midday.

Two men were attacked in Bladon, at 12.15pm and a 45-year-old man and his wife were assaulted in their car in Enstone at about 12.53pm.

A 42-year-old man from the Princes Risborough area was detained on Monday under the Mental Health Act.

Police kept the incident secret until contacted by the Press today.