Voilent assault of petrol station worker

A PETROL station worker was taken to hospital after being violently assaulted in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The garage worker fell unconscious after the raider put him a headlock before stealing cigarettes, alcohol and a car belonging to member of staff.

Police are hunting the thief after the incident at the the Gibbetts Cross Service Station on the A5, between Rugby and Lutterworth, at about 4.30am on Wednesday.

Officers said the thief put a member of staff in a headlock rendering him unconscious, then threw him to the ground, before stealing cigarettes, alcohol and a car belonging to the member of staff - a silver Vauxhall Astra.

The thief is described as white with an Eastern European accent.

He was described as wearing a dark flat cap, olive green North Face jacket, grey tracksuit and white trainers.

Detective Inspector Paul Thompson, from Warwickshire Police said: “The garage worker was violently assaulted as he went about his business, leaving him with a head injury for which he is currently receiving hospital treatment.

“We are appealing for anyone who saw the assault or saw someone travelling southbound on the A5 in a silver Vauxhall Astra in the early hours of this morning.

“We know that the vehicle was involved in a single vehicle collision a short time later, close to junction 16 of the M1, with the occupant leaving the scene.

“It is possible the suspect may have been seen exiting a HGV lorry parked in a lay-by near to Gibbets Cross Service Station prior to the robbery and so we are appealing for lorry drivers who may have given a lift to anyone matching the description of the suspect, or seen them getting out of a lorry, to get in touch.”

If you have any information which could help contact Warwickshire Police on 101.