A TAXI driver could hold the vital clue to the brutal beating of a 21-year-old Lancaster woman. Susan Capstick, of West Street, is recovering in hospital with a broken jaw and severe facial injuries after being attacked at her home in the early hours of Sunday morning. Lancaster Police are appealing for the taxi driver, who was seen outside the victim's home at about 12.30am on Sunday morning, to come forward and help trace her movements that evening.

She was last seen at the King Edward VII pub on Penny Street at about 10pm and in Brooks' night club until 12.30am.

Hours later the former Our Lady's High school pupil was being rushed to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary with a broken nose and jaw after her landlady raised the alarm and called on neighbours for help.

One neighbour and eye-witness said: "Susan was upstairs on the toilet moaning with her head in her hands and a huge gash on her forehead. There was blood everywhere.

"I got a damp sponge and told her to press it on to her head until the ambulance arrived. Sue was very distressed and she was crying."

Susan was still in the RLI and was said to be comfortable yesterday (Wednesday). She has a sketchy memory of the evening's events.

DI Colin Fish of Lancaster Police said: "We're desperate to speak to anyone who might have seen Susan on Saturday night, especially the taxi driver who dropped her off outside her home. The taxi was a dark Sierra-like car with a white taxi sign in black lettering."

Anyone with information about the incident or Susan's movements on Saturday night should call Lancaster CID on (01524) 596641.

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