A GWENT taxi driver has told of his terror as he was robbed in a violent struggle with a passenger.

Father of four Khan Ali, 50, of Pill, was repeatedly punched in the face and robbed of £45 in Laburnum Drive, Somerton, Newport, by a male fare he picked up in Upper Dock Street on Monday night.

And last night the Capitol Taxi driver explained how cabbies in the city are facing more and more assaults from violent passengers.

"On the weekends they can be like drunken wild animals," said Mr Ali. The incident happened shortly after 10pm.

Mr Ali said: "The guy was all right when I picked him up but in Labernum Drive he just snapped. He just said 'stop the car'. Then he started punching me in the face with one hand and grabbed my back with the other."

As terrified Mr Ali tried to ward off the blows, the man, described as short and aged between 18 and 20, screamed at him to hand over all his cash. "He was swearing and shouting at me and then he snatched the £45 in my top pocket. He smashed my glasses and I was very scared."

Mr Ali tried to escape the car but was punched in the face as he got out. Mr Ali returned to work yesterday, but was still shaken by the attack.

"I'm just trying to earn some decent money for my family," he said. "Being a taxi driver in Newport is becoming a dangerous job."

PC Sally Jackson, from Maindee Police, said: "We are appealing for anyone in the Somerton area who noticed anything unusual around the time of the robbery to come forward."

Anyone with information should call Maindee CID on 01633 245438 or 01633 244999.