A TAXI driver has told of his terrifying ride after a customer attacked him for just £55.

The 67-year-old, from Tiptree, was put in a headlock, but refused to let the thug escape and drove for half a mile before his attacker jumped out.

The driver was at Witham station taxi rank – where he has worked for 27 years – when the man got in his car and asked to be driven to Humber Road.

The driver said: “As soon he grabbed my money wallet, he tried to get out of the vehicle, but I spun it round and drove off.

“I thought I won’t let him out, I will take him to the police station.

“I wasn’t thinking straight.”

He sped along Spa Road and Blunts Hall Road, going too fast for the man to escape. The thief shouted: “Stop, you old fool.”

The driver, who has asked not to be named, then called police, at which point the thug panicked, pushed the gearstick of the automatic car into neutral and threw himself out.

He struggled to his feet before fleeing. The driver was shaken, but unhurt.

The suspect is believed to have local knowledge, was white and aged between 21 and 40. He wore a baggy grey tracksuit and a dark body-warmer and had short, dark brown hair.

Witnesses to Friday night’s incident should contact the CID Target team at Braintree, on 0300 3334444, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.