Rhana MiahPolice have released four men on bail after a father of nine was left with serious head injuries when he tried to stop a car being stolen in Faringdon Road.

And they are investigating whether the incident is connected to an assault on another man in Rivenhall Road, Westlea, close to where the taxi was dumped.

The victim was attacked by four men and left with a fractured skull.

His condition was described as stable, but he has been taken to the neurology unit at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital as a precautionary measure as he is a previous victim of serious violence.

In Faringdon Road, Rhana Miah, 38, was dragged 165 yards as he hung on to his brother's taxi, a silver Peugeot 406.

His brother Tony has told how he thought Rhana was dead when he saw him lying in the road.

Tony, 36, taxi driver and co-owner of the Dilraj Indian restaurant, described the moment his brother was flung from the vehicle near the restaurant.

He said: "They pushed him off and he sort of did a somersault. He was in the road and he wasn't moving. I thought he was dead.

"I ran over to him and asked if he was all right but he was unconscious and there was blood coming out of his left ear.

"Then the car came back and they nearly hit him, he was in the middle of the road and I had to drag him out of the way.

"He could have been killed. It was shocking. What would have happened if a car was coming when he fell in the road? He would have been killed."

Tony and Rhana opened the Dilraj in Faringdon Road eight months ago.

Tony had just parked his cab outside the restaurant on Sunday night before the incident.

Tony said: "I came in and my brother said 'who's in your car'? I told him there was nobody but he could see people in it. He ran outside and the man in the driving seat hadn't shut the door so he grabbed the steering wheel.

"He told them to get out but they went speeding off. He was dragged about 165 yards and he was hanging on trying to stop the car."

DC Mark Wilkinson urged witnesses to come forward.

He said: "The nature of the offence and the disregard for our victim's safety is obviously a concern.

"This could have had tragic consequences if he had been caught under the wheels.

"We appeal for anybody in the area that night to come forward."

Wyn Jones, 36, landlord of The Grapes Hotel in Faringdon Road, said: "Four lads came in here at about 10.45pm.

"It was past time so they left without having a drink. The next thing I knew Tony came in and said his taxi had been stolen.

"I'm quite shocked that something like that happened around here. Nicking a taxi and nearly running someone over is bang out of order."

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which happened just before 11pm on Sunday.

If you can help, call Swindon police on 01793 528111.

Gareth Bethell