Witnesses sought to assaults involving cyclists in Aberdeen & Oxford - one a victim, the other a suspect

Police in Oxford and Aberdeen have appealed for witnesses in relation to separate instances in which cyclists were involved in an alleged assault – in one of them as the victim, in the other as the suspect.

Police Scotland are looking for the occupant of a white van, possibly a Ford Transit, whom they say was the perpetrator of a “particularly nasty assault” on a male cyclist in Auchinyell Road, Garthdee, Aberdeen last Friday morning just after 8.30am.

The 51-year-old cyclist suffered facial injuries, and the van occupant – it is unclear whether he was the driver – is described as white, aged 20-25, approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall with short, fair hair and a muscular build. He was dressed in a light coloured top, trousers and trainers.

Constable Craig Smith from Aberdeen City Division's Alcohol and Violence Reduction Unit commented: "This was a particularly nasty assault on the victim who was cycling towards South Anderson Drive.

"I'm appealing to anyone who witnessed this incident, or may have seen two men arguing in the street at that time in the morning to get in touch with us.

"I particularly want to speak to anyone who was near the Ramsay shops or waiting at the bus stop on Auchinyell Road near to the old Copper Beech pub.

“Finally I would ask anyone who saw a white van in the Garthdee area on Friday morning to contact us."

Witnesses, or anyone with information that could help trace the van occupant, is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Meanwhile, Thames Valley Police are looking for a cyclist whom they say used his bike lock to assault a motorist in Oxford on Saturday afternoon at around 5pm.

According to police, the incident happened after the driver and cyclist had a near miss as the former’s vehicle exited the University of Oxford’s site on Parks Road.

The driver suffered head injuries for which he had to be treated at the city’s John Radcliffe Hospital, and his car was also damaged.

According to Sergeant Sgt Matthew Sulley from Oxford City Centre, “Police are following a number of leads. This attack was brutal and the aggrieved required hospital treatment for his injuries.

“We would like anyone who witnessed the incident to contact us as soon as possible. Thankfully this type of incident is rare in Oxford and it certainly will not be tolerated.”

Anyone who has information is requested to call Investigating Officer PC Matthew Leney on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
It’s unclear whether the cyclist was on the road, or on the shared use path on the footway that the driver would have to cross to exit the site, home to a number of the university’s science faculty buildings.