Alleged axeman denies attacking lawyer outside east Oxford home

Taras Voinovich, 69, is said to have smashed a window – on which was pasted a poster with the message ‘thank God for immigrants’ - at victim Philip Turpin’s east Oxford home at breakfast time on July 28 last year.

When Mr Turpin, of immigration and housing law firm Turpin and Miller, came outside he said he asked bicycle-wheeling Voinovich whether he had seen what happened to his window.

After a mumbled response, the cyclist allegedly pulled a sheathed axe from his rucksack then rained down blows on the lawyer.

His wife ran to protect him and was also struck with the weapon – as was a neighbour who came to the couple’s aid and managed to wrestle the axe from the attacker, the court heard.

Opening the case against Voinovich at Oxford Crown Court on Monday afternoon, prosecutor Jonathan Stone said of Mr Turpin: “He bore not threat whatsoever to the defendant.

“You’ll hear the defendant was the client of the firm, the law firm Mr Turpin works for, and it appears he may well have been disgruntled with the service he received.

“Whether that provides a motive for what took place will be a matter for you.”

Questioned about any possible motive for the attack, Mr Turpin agreed with the prosecutor that he could not say why it happened.

The victim paused after being asked whether he recognised Voinovich on the morning of the attack.

“I’m not struggling with my recollection. I’m just thinking of issues of confidentiality. When this incident occurred I do not think I recognised this person,” he replied.

Asked how he felt when he saw the axe ‘held high’ above his attacker’s head, Mr Turpin said: “One’s life doesn’t flash before one’s eyes, I can tell you that.

“I was, obviously, very, very shocked. There is an element of disbelief as to what’s happening. I think I was just stepping back, walking backwards as he came toward me.

“Then there was, obviously, a lot of fear.”

The whole incident was caught on CCTV, Mr Stone said. Before playing the three-minute video, the prosecutor warned the jury: “What you’re going to see and what you’re going to hear is pretty traumatic in nature. Quite graphic, quite disturbing.”

The jury heard that both Mr Turpin and his wife were taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, for treatment following the assault.

The husband suffered a broken right eye socket, multiple fractures to his cheek bone and cuts to his eye socket and the back of the head, the jury was told. His wife received a 4cm wound to her scalp.

The alleged axeman, who was followed down the street by neighbours, was arrested at the junction of Cowley Road and Leopold Street.

Voinovich, of Islip Road, Oxford, denies grievous bodily harm with intent, causing actual bodily harm, possession of an offensive weapon, affray and criminal damage. The trial continues.

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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.  

To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk

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