THE cab driver attacked in Ruislip on Saturday morning has suffered severe brain damage and is not likely to survive his injuries, Uxbridge Magistrates' Court has heard.

The 39-year-old victim, who works for a Farringdon taxi firm, has been operated on three times since the incident occurred in Bridgewater Road at 3.40am on March 19. But doctors said the operations, one of which removed a section of his skull, have not been successful.

Five teenagers, four from the Ruislip area, have been charged with attempted murder and robbery in connection to the attack. They all appeared in court on Tuesday (22) as their respective lawyers applied for their release on bail, which magistrates refused.

The four 18-year-olds and one 17-year-old will be held in custody until their next court appearance, at the Old Bailey on June 28, when they will enter pleas. By then, it could be a murder charge that they have to answer.

Crown prosecutor Andrew Caird said: "He has never regained consciousness since the attack. There is bleeding to both sides of the brain to such an extent that one of his eyeballs is bulging from its socket.

"His condition is constantly deteoriating. At this point in time he is deemed critical but stable, by way of a ventilator that is keeping him alive.

"He was being taken into theatre for a further scan but the indication had been that there was nothing further that could be done and if the swelling of the brain didn't subside then the only course of action was palliative care, to ease his passing from this world."

The accused are George Lynes, of Larne Road, Ruislip, Christopher Boyce and Ross Bailey, both of Victoria Road, Ruislip, and Conor Swift, of Park Crescent, Harrow. Uxbridge Magistrates' Court refused to allow the Gazette to name the fifth defendant, from Ruislip, despite him being less than a year away from his 18th birthday.

The four teenagers from Ruislip are former pupils of Bishop Ramsey Church of England School.