A Lithuanian lorry driver was abducted after he parked in a lay-by on the A34 near Bicester to take a nap.

The driver was assaulted by three men and his lorry was taken to Liverpool docks during the early hours of last Thursday, where 25 pallets of power tools were loaded in white Transit vans.

The driver was asleep in his Scania lorry in the lay-by near Weston-on-the-Green, on the A34 southbound between junction nine of the M40 and the Peartree interchange, when the abduction took place.

Three men, who had their faces concealed, overpowered the driver while he was asleep, assaulting him and holding him captive. The driver received injuries to his face.

Dc Jill Morton, of Bicester CID, said: "This was a ruthlessly executed crime that has left this driver severely shaken.

"We would like to appeal to anyone who may have been in the local area or was driving along the A34 overnight on Wednesday to Thursday. Did you see anything suspicious before the incident, or the robbery take place itself?

"Even the most seemingly insignificant detail may be important, so please get in touch."

Dc Morton can be contacted on 08458 505505.