Internet cafe owners Alex Redston and Richard Welsh told of their shock after a taxi driver was attacked by his passenger, forcing his black cab to crash into their shop.

Richard Welsh and Alex Redston, view the damage to their business

The incident happened shortly after 3am yesterday (Sunday Nov 21) and devastated the shop front of mices.com in High Street, Oxford.

Mr Redston and his partner, who visited the store to start clearing up the mess, fear the smash has caused structural damage.

Broken glass was strewn across the floor of the cafe.

Mr Redston added: "The alarm went off and we came straight down to see what had happened.

"The police told us that the taxi driver was being strangled by a passenger and as a result he crashed into the shop.

"They said the man was arrested afterwards and the taxi was taken away.

"There's a bus stop nearby and it's really lucky no-one was seriously hurt."

Fire crews and paramedics were called to the scene.

The taxi driver was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, for treatment.

A spokesman for Cowley Road-based City Taxis confirmed that one of their drivers was attacked and added: "It's a shock. Our controller has gone to visit him in hospital."

Mr Redston added: "A virus hit our computers on the same day, but fortunately we have managed to get that fixed.

"This shop is in a Grade II listed building and repairs on the art deco shopfront will require special planning approval.

"It may be a few days before we can reopen.

"Luckily we have another shop at Gloucester Green and our customers can go there."

Mr Welsh, 33, who launched the business with Mr Redston in March 2000, added: "This is very disheartening.

"Winter can be a quiet period for us and this is the last thing we needed.

"But we will do our best to bounce back as quickly as possible."

No-one from Thames Valley Police was available last night for comment on the incident.