A robber punched a taxi driver in the face then snatched his takings.

The attack happened in St Andrew's Gardens, in the St Anne's area of Colchester, while the driver was parked up after dropping off a passenger.

It left the victim, who works for PDQ, Colchester, shaken but not hurt and about £30 was taken.

PDQ owner Tony Tokley said: "He is not physically injured but obviously he was shaken up at the time. Who wouldn't be?

"He was just sitting in his car at the side of the road with the window open and this guy came up to the side of the car and punched him in the face and grabbed his money. It's a bit unnerveing. If they'll mug old ladies of 90, they won't worry about anything else."

Colchester police crime reduction officer Colin Stiff appealed for witnesses or anyone who recognises a description of the man to come forward.

The attacker was described as white, 5ft 10ins tall, 20 years old, bare-chested with a T-shirt wrapped round his waist and was wearing a baseball cap.

Anyone with information about the robbery, yesterday at 9pm, should call Colchester police on 01206 762212 or Crimestoppers, anonymously,on 0800 555111

Published Monday, June 30, 2003

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