Ben Clifton, 19, charged with attempted murder after Oxford stabbing

HomeCrimeBen Clifton, 19, charged with attempted murder after Oxford stabbing

Ben Clifton, 19, charged with attempted murder after Oxford stabbing

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A teenager from Oxford has been charged following an investigation into a stabbing that prosecutors are treating as attempted murder.

Ben Clifton, aged 19 and residing on Montagu Road, faces two counts of serious offences relating to the incident that took place in the early hours of September 19.

The charges comprise one count of attempted murder and one count of possessing a bladed article in a public setting.

The defendant, who was apprehended at the scene, has been held in custody pending his next court appearance at Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court on Monday, September 21.

Thames Valley Police confirmed that the individual was formally charged on September 19 and remains detained.

A force representative stated that the accused would be brought before the court the following day.

Emergency services were called to Montagu Road in Botley at approximately 2am following reports of a disturbance.

Witnesses described hearing raised voices from two men, with one individual screaming at considerable volume for an extended period.

The shouting continued for up to ten minutes before police resources arrived at the location.

Following the arrival of officers, the 19-year-old was placed under arrest.

A second man, aged in his twenties, was conveyed to hospital having sustained serious injuries.

The force clarified that while the injuries were significant, they were not considered life-threatening.

Medical staff have since confirmed the victim’s discharge from hospital, with investigators confirming the nature of the assault involved a stabbing.

Investigators established a scene perimeter that remained in place until approximately 1.30pm on September 19.

Blood was visible on the road surface and pavement throughout the morning hours.

A forensics unit attended the location, and multiple police vehicles were positioned along the street.

A 59-year-old local resident who has lived on Montagu Road for an extended period recounted hearing the confrontation develop.

She described one of the individuals shouting loudly and extremely, noting that she observed the argument from her window.

The disturbance persisted for several minutes before subsiding.

A neighbour who recently relocated to the area from Leicester was in the process of moving into his property when he encountered the emergency response during the midday period.

The 21-year-old described the experience as shocking and unexpected, noting that such incidents are rare for the Botley district, which he considers one of the more tranquil localities in the vicinity.

A 56-year-old resident, who requested anonymity, reported observing substantial blood on the road surface.

Other inhabitants of the street noted the presence of specialist crime scene investigators and numerous police vehicles throughout the operational period.

A resident who has occupied property on the road since 1999 expressed mounting concern for younger members of the community, suggesting that such incidents appear to be occurring with increasing frequency.

A 66-year-old local inhabitant described Montagu Road as a cul-de-sac that is typically peaceful and quiet.

Another long-term resident stated that the occurrence was profoundly distressing and difficult to accept, emphasising that the neighbourhood is ordinarily tranquil.

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