A brave taxi driver who was robbed at knifepoint by a teenage thug was yesterday back at work.

Jerry Reeve, 60, was forced to hand over his entire night's takings to the robber who held a six-inch blade to his neck.

Speaking today about his ordeal, Mr Reeve from Shoebury, said: "All I knew was that this was not the time for heroics.

"This guy had a knife and had already cut me - I was vulnerable and knew I had no choice but to hand over the cash.

"I wasn't going to tackle a vicious man armed with a knife at my age."

Describing the attack, Mr Reeve said: "It all happened so quickly.

"He put his hands around my neck from the back seat and I saw a knife.

"I realised he had cut me when I felt the pain.

"I was pretty vulnerable and scared so I got out of the car to face him." The robber made off with around £100 from the attack which happened in the early hours of last Thursday morning in Cossington Road, Westcliff.

He left his victim shocked and bleeding.

Mr Reeve, who works for AC Cabs, went to Southend Hospital where he was treated for cuts to his ear and neck.

He was discharged after treatment and believes he had a lucky escape.

Mr Reeve, who has been a cabbie for eight years, said he must now put the incident behind him and move on.

"If I thought about what happened I would never drive a cab again.

"Unfortunately taxi drivers are vulnerable to attacks like this and we are all aware of the potential danger."

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