Queens’ Bat Attack

A shocking attack in broad daylight saw a Queens’ student hospitalised last week.

A female graduate was savagely beaten with a baseball bat metres away from her room in Owlstone Croft, where most Queens’ postgraduates live.

The twenty-two year old student climbed out of her car on Friday January 29th to see a male stranger running towards her with his arms raised. He struck her head with the bat, knocking her to the floor, before continuing to hit her knees.

The attack happened at 4.45pm, and the brazen assailant only fled the scene when a witness in a nearby house knocked on the window from the inside of her home.

The victim was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, where she was treated for severe bruising. She has since been discharged.

Detective Sergeant Lindsay Harbour said: "This was a terrifying attack for the victim. Luckily there was someone in the area who scared off the attacker. At this stage we are treating this as an isolated incident.”

The police described the attacker as white and six foot tall. He was wearing a black hoodie with ‘Fight Club’ written in white on the back.

The weapon is believed to have been a black baseball bat, with a white tip.

Queens’ students were informed about the brutal attack in an email from JCR President Emil Hewage. The email explained, "Earlier today a Queens' student was assaulted near Owlstone Croft. The student is now in hospital but the attacker has since fled the scene."

Senior Tutor Dr James Kelly has reiterated the need for vigilance.

2nd year Queens’ medic Kerala Adams-Carr told the Tab: ‘I often jog by Owlstone Croft as it’s en route to Grantchester. It’s never felt dangerous and it’s shocking to think that such horrible violence can happen so close to home.’

Anyone with information is asked to contact DS Harbour at Parkside Police Station on 0345 456 456 4 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.