Four arrested after Cowick Street assault

Detectives investigating a serious assault in Exeter at the weekend are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

A 21-year-old local man was found unconscious in the road in Cowick Street, St Thomas, shortly before 4.20am on Saturday 8 August. He had suffered serious head and neck injuries.

Officers believe he had been the victim of an assault at the junction of Cowick Street and Old Vicarage Road before being struck by a car, driven by a 37-year-old man from the Exeter area. The collision is believed to be unrelated to the assault.

The victim was initially taken to The Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. He has since been transferred to Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, with life threatening injuries, where he remains in a critical condition.

A 22-year-old man from Newton Abbot and three men, aged 20, 23 and 25, from Exeter, were arrested on suspicion of assault causing grievous bodily harm and have been released on bail until 24 November.

A joint investigation by the Serious Collisions Investigation Unit, Major Crime Investigation Team and Exeter CID is underway.

Enquiries are continuing into the incident and how the man came to be in the road.

The road was closed for nine hours while a full examination of the scene was conducted by specialist officers.

Following a previous appeal for information, the Subaru Impreza has been located by officers. The car, which was not involved in the collision but is of interest to the investigation, has been seized and is being examined by police.

Officers are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or anyone who was in Cowick Street at around 4am on Saturday, to get in touch.

Detective Inspector Jo Hall, Local Investigation Team, said: “We are grateful for patience shown by the local community while the road was closed as part of the investigation.

“We would also like to thank the public for their assistance with the appeal for information about the whereabouts of the outstanding vehicle.

“The investigation is ongoing and we are keen to speak to any witnesses who have not yet got in touch with us.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, or email 101@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk, quoting log 169 of 8 August. Alternatively information can be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously via their online form on Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.