POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an assault at a taxi rank outside a cinema in Lakeside which has left a man with a multi-fractured jaw.
The assault happened at the taxi rank outside VUE at Lakeside Shopping Centre shortly after 1am on Saturday, May 5. A group of friends had left nearby Las Iguanas and were returning home after an enjoyable night out in the bar. As they queued for a car, a male passenger got out of a taxi and punched one of the group before returning to the vehicle. It was then driven off, leaving a 38-year-old man with serious facial injuries.
Investigating Officer, Pc Siobhan Murphy, said: “We originally had been contacted by nurses at Basildon University Hospital who were concerned at the extent of the injuries that this man had sustained. He was going to be transferred to Broomfield to have reconstructive surgery. He is still recovering from and finds it difficult to talk. We want to speak to those people who were queuing for a taxi in the early hours of that Bank Holiday Saturday morning and who saw this assault to come forward. They may be able to explain why this man was attacked or whether it was totally unprovoked.”
The victim’s jaw was broken in three places and he is now recovering at his home in Stanford-le-Hope.
A 26-year-old man from Grays was arrested two days after the assault and is currently on police bail until Tuesday, May 21 pending further enquiries.
Anyone with information in connection with this assault is urged to contact investigating officers at Grays police station on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.