A FATHER-OF-NINE is still recovering in hospital after being dragged along a road by a stolen taxi.

Rhana Miah was transferred to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford for a scan after blood started coming out of his ear.

The 38-year-old suffered bruising and swelling and a fractured skull after being dragged 150 metres as he hung on to his brother Tony's taxi in to stop it from being stolen.

"His face is still swollen and he's still coming to terms with what happened," said Tony, 36.

"We're just waiting to hear what the scan shows."

The robbery happened outside the Dilraj Indian restaurant just before 11pm on Sunday.

Four men, who were arrested and questioned by police in connection with the offence, have been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Officers have linked the robbery with an assault on Nigel Fulcher in Rivenhall Road, Westlea, which is believed to have happened shortly after the taxi was abandoned nearby.

The 37-year-old, of Mannington Lane, who has been attacked three times in 18 months, suffered a fractured jaw and skull, blood clot on his brain, swelling and bruising after the unprovoked beating.

He is recovering at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Police are searching for the taxi's registration plates, Y645 RNE; its licence plates, which have the number 57 on them, a black, woolly money bag and bunch of keys.

Anyone with information is asked to call Swindon Police on 01793 528111.