A LORRY driver was abducted and had his cargo stolen from the A34 near Weston-on-the-Green.

The driver, who is Lithuanian, was asleep in his Scania lorry, parked on a lay-by near Weston on the Green, on the A34 Southbound from junction 9 of M40 towards Oxford between Bicester and Pear Tree.

Three men, who had their faces concealed, overpowered the driver while he was asleep, assaulting him and holding him captive.

He and the lorry were driven to the Liverpool docks area where his cargo of some 25 pallets of power tools was off-loaded into two white Transit- type vans.

The driver received injuries to his face, swelling and bruising.

The robbery happened in the early hours of Thursday, November 15, but details were only released this afternoon.

Det Con 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 import, so please get in touch."

Det Con Morton can be contacted via the Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505.

If you do not want to talk to police and do not want to leave your name, call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.