Police hunt Irishman who hit woman with vodka bottle in back of black cab

POLICE are hunting an Irishman who repeatedly hit a woman with a vodka bottle in the back of a London cab.

Detectives in Westminster are appealing for witnesses after the woman was attacked in central London in the early hours after St Patrick's Day.

The victim, who is in her 20s, had been out with family when she hailed a black taxi outside the Palace Theatre in Shaftsbury Avenue at about 2.35am on Sunday, 18 March.

The woman and her family got into the cab when two unknown men also got in and asked to be dropped around the corner.

When the taxi driver declined as there were too many passengers and he would lose his licence, just one of the men got out.

The other refused and got into an argument with the victim, pushing one of her relatives.

As the victim attempted to pull the man off her relative, he pulled out a small glass bottle of vodka and repeatedly hit her over the head with it until he was dragged off.

The victim, who was later taken to hospital where she required stitches, collapsed onto the floor of the taxi and the man fled the scene.

The man, who spoke with an Irish accent, is described as man, aged in his late 20s to early 30s, with short light brown curly hair.

He was wearing a light blue checkered shirt and jeans.

Detectives from Westminster’s Serious Crime Unit are investigating and want to speak to the taxi driver.

He is described as an Asian man, aged about 40 to 50 years old, with short dark hair. He was wearing a light blue shirt.

Any witnesses or with anyone with information is asked to call police on 020 7321 8296 or 101 or Tweet @MetCC. Information can also be reported to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org