WOULD-be robbers pushed a farm worker off a quad bike and kicked him in the ribs in rural Oxfordshire.

The shocking attack happened at 9.30am on Friday last week, in a field between Blewbury and Chilton on the Churn Estate. 

The victim, a man in his 20s, was on a quad bike at the time trying to round up sheep to move them to another field.

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A light grey Jeep Cherokee 4x4 pulled up next to him, and the front passenger demanded that he handed over the quad bike.

When the victim refused, the back windows of the Jeep were lowered to reveal another three men in the back of the car, meaning there were five in total.

The passenger and two men from the back seats got out and pushed him, and kicked him as he lay on the ground. 

They only fled when a tractor coming up the road disturbed them, and they drove off towards the A34.

He suffered bruising to his ribs. 

Oxford Mail:

Google Maps view of the Churn Estate

The driver of the Jeep was described as a white, heavily-built man, aged between 20 and 30, with a beard and dark clothes.

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His passenger was described as a white man, aged between 20 and 30, between 5ft 5ins and 5ft 8ins tall with dark hair and stubble.

The Jeep has the partial number plate of WX51.

Investigating officer PC Casper Bangert, based at Abingdon police station, said: "The victim in this case was the victim of an unprovoked assault.

"He could have sustained serious injuries during the [attempted] robbery and his quick thinking of removing the keys to the quad bike meant that nothing was stolen in this incident."

He urged anyone with information to call 101 or make a report online, quoting the reference 43190396727, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.