Taxi fire attack anniversary bid

Mr Fletcher has returned to work in the area where he was attacked

Police have renewed an appeal to catch a man who set a Hampshire taxi driver on fire one year after the attack.

Derek Fletcher from Southampton, was strangled and set alight in his cab by a customer while on a country road near Eastleigh on 21 May last year.

The 52-year-old has since returned back to work in the area and said he had not experienced any flashbacks.

Detectives believe the attacker is a local man and claim there is a high risk he may commit further offences.

A £4,000 reward has been offered and a UK-wide appeal was made on BBC's Crimewatch but to date no arrests have been made.

'Feeling good'

Mr Fletcher suffered serious burns and needed skin grafts when he was assaulted in Stoneham Lane in the early hours of 21 May by his passenger, who also tried to set fire to his vehicle.

He said: "I have been able to get back to work and am feeling good.

"I have driven in the area of Stoneham Lane a number of times since the attack and am very lucky not to have suffered any flashbacks.

"Someone out there knows who was responsible and I would encourage anyone who has any information to contact the police as soon as they can."

The passenger who attacked him was described as thin and gaunt looking, and wearing a black hooded top.

Det Ch Insp Stuart Murray, who is leading the investigation, said: "We are still following a number of lines of inquiry, but I am continuing to appeal to anyone who has not yet contacted us to do so.

"I am particularly keen to speak to local residents of Eastleigh, particularly those living in the Southampton Road, Chestnut Avenue and Stoneham Lane areas. I believe that local people hold the key to this investigation."