Key Points
- Laurence Whittaker, 34, of Cowley Road, is on trial at Oxford Crown Court for the attempted murder of Lindsay Webber, his former partner’s mother, on January 10 last year.
- Whittaker previously pleaded guilty to two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) against Ms Webber and his former partner, Jessica Clements.
- He also pleaded guilty to one count of assault by beating against Ms Webber.
- Whittaker pleaded guilty to section 18 wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH) against Ms Webber.
- He denies the charge of attempted murder against Ms Webber.
- On Monday, February 2, the jury heard evidence from neighbour Sophie Taylor of Burton Close, Abingdon.
- Ms Taylor was at home with her former partner around 8pm on January 10 last year when she heard shouting.
- She saw three young, hooded males looking distressed outside her house.
- Ms Taylor heard a scared female voice screaming “leave me alone”.
- An aggressive male voice shouted “Lindsay”, identifying the neighbour Ms Webber.
- Up to 20 pounding noises were heard, along with screaming, shouting, and crying.
- A man, looking angry and purposeful, appeared and was arrested by police outside Ms. Taylor’s home.
- Ms Taylor’s former partner called the police immediately upon hearing the initial screaming.
Abingdon (Oxford Daily), February 3, 2026 – A neighbour of alleged attempted murder victim Lindsay Webber described hearing terrifying screams of “leave me alone” and an aggressive male voice shouting her name during the incident at Burton Close last year.
What Did the Neighbour Witness on the Night of the Attack?
Sophie Taylor, residing in Burton Close, Abingdon, provided key testimony on Monday, February 2, at Oxford Crown Court. As reported by staff reporters of the Oxford Mail, Ms Taylor stated she was at home with her former partner around 8pm on January 10 last year when the disturbance began.
Ms Taylor told the jury: “We could hear shouting, but we couldn’t see anything. I went into the front bedroom and looked out of the windows.” She observed “three young, hooded males” who “looked like they were looking at our house” and appeared distressed, with one having “his head in his hands”.
The witness then recounted hearing “screaming”, specifically “a female voice, very scared screaming ‘leave me alone'”. This was followed by “a very aggressive male voice, but the words were inaudible”.
Why Did Sophie Taylor Call the Police?
At that point, Ms Taylor’s former partner insisted on contacting authorities. Ms Taylor said: “At that point, my former partner said we needed to call the police so she called them immediately.”
While on the phone with police, the situation escalated further. Ms Taylor heard “a very angry, aggressive voice shout ‘Lindsay'”. She confirmed to the court that Lindsay is her neighbour, Ms Webber.
This direct identification of the victim by name from the aggressor added a chilling layer to the testimony, as reported in the Oxford Mail coverage.
What Sounds Indicated the Assault Was Underway?
The court heard descriptions of intense physical violence. Ms Taylor described “pounding, up to about 20 pounding noises” accompanied by “screaming, shouting and crying”.
These sounds suggested a prolonged and violent altercation, according to the neighbour’s account given under oath. The Oxford Mail detailed how these noises occurred as Ms Taylor remained on the line with emergency services.
No other media outlets have reported additional audio details from this specific testimony as of February 3, 2026, but the pounding noises were emphasised as indicative of repeated impacts.
Who Appeared After the Pounding Noises?
A man then came into view. Ms. Taylor told the jury, “A man appeared. He looked very angry and with a lot of purpose.”
Police responded promptly and arrested him outside Ms Taylor’s home, as per her evidence. This arrest forms part of the sequence leading to Whittaker’s charges.
The Oxford Mail article, published online, attributes this full sequence directly to Ms Taylor’s court statements without additional corroboration from other witnesses in the provided coverage.
What Are Laurence Whittaker’s Guilty Pleas?
Laurence Whittaker, 34, from Cowley Road, has admitted several serious offences related to the incident. He pleaded guilty to two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against Lindsay Webber and Jessica Clements, his former partner.
Additionally, Whittaker pleaded guilty to one count of assault by beating against Ms Webber. He also admitted to section 18 wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm against Ms Webber.
These pleas were entered prior to the trial on the remaining charge, as outlined in the Oxford Mail’s reporting on the case background.
Why Does Whittaker Deny Attempted Murder?
Despite the guilty pleas to lesser charges, Whittaker denies the attempted murder of Ms Webber. This is the central contention at Oxford Crown Court.
The trial focuses on whether his actions crossed into attempted murder territory, with neighbour testimony providing context on the violence observed.
Court listings confirm the ongoing nature of the trial, with Whittaker’s case noted in recent Oxford Crown Court schedules.
Where and When Did the Incident Occur?
The alleged attack took place on January 10 last year at Burton Close, Abingdon, around 8pm. This timing aligns with Ms Taylor’s testimony about being at home.
Abingdon, in Oxfordshire, is the location of the residential street where Ms Webber resides, neighbouring Ms Taylor.
No further geographical details from other sources have emerged, but the incident prompted an immediate police response to the close.
Who Is Lindsay Webber in Relation to the Accused?
Lindsay Webber is the mother of Jessica Clements, Whittaker’s former partner. The violence extended to both women, per the guilty pleas.
Ms. Clements was also a victim of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, highlighting a pattern in the admitted charges.
The Oxford Mail frames Ms Webber as the primary focus of the attempted murder allegation due to the severity of the wounding.
How Has the Trial Progressed So Far?
The jury heard Ms Taylor’s evidence on February 2, 2026, marking a significant day in proceedings at Oxford Crown Court. No updates from February 3 are available in current reports.
Whittaker’s trial continues, with prior guilty pleas narrowing the issues for deliberation.
Local media, primarily the Oxford Mail, has covered the neighbour’s account in detail, with no conflicting reports from BBC or other outlets on this testimony.
What Is the Significance of the Neighbour’s Testimony?
Ms Taylor’s account provides an independent eyewitness perspective from outside the immediate family circle. Her description of distress, screams, name-calling, and pounding noises paints a vivid picture of the chaos.
The immediate police call and arrest outside her home link directly to Whittaker’s apprehension.
As the only sourced testimony detailed in available coverage, it stands as crucial prosecution evidence on the night’s events.
Are There Related Local News Stories?
The Oxford Mail linked to a separate story on Oxford commuter complaints about a train station project, but it bears no relation to this case.
Court listings show Whittaker’s case as active, with no resolution reported.
Broader searches reveal no additional media coverage from other journalists on Ms. Taylor’s specific statements, making the Oxford Mail the primary source.
In summary, this testimony from Sophie Taylor offers a harrowing outsider’s view of the alleged attack, bolstering the context around Whittaker’s denied attempted murder charge. The trial at Oxford Crown Court proceeds with these details central to the jury’s consideration.
