A TAXI driver who was held up by a gang armed with a baseball bat has today spoken of his terrifying ordeal.The 59-year-old, who does not wish to be named, said he has been unable to sleep and has been left badly shaken by the robbery.

A TAXI driver who was held up by a gang armed with a baseball bat has today spoken of his terrifying ordeal.

The 59-year-old, who does not wish to be named, said he has been unable to sleep and has been left badly shaken by the robbery.

The Ipswich man was answering a call for cab company Four One Seven when a trio of hooded men got into the back of the car and threatened him with a baseball bat.

He said: “I heard them say 'let's do it' and then I had baseball bat at my throat.

“One of them said 'give me the money' but I said I don't have any because I had just started my shift.

“Somehow they got across to my pouch of change and got out. I got out and one of them swung the bat and smashed the rear window.”

During the ordeal the man managed to press a button in his cab to alert the company and police arrived on scene soon after.

They are now investigating the incident and have taken the man's Vauxhall Vectra from the scene in Badash Avenue so forensic examinations can be conducted.

He has also given a statement to police and identified his possible attackers using police photographs.

He added: “I feel like crying at the moment. I have been a taxi driver for four years and I have never had any trouble.

“I want these people done. I want that one with the baseball bat done. He could have had a knife or a gun and if you carry a weapon, you will use it.”

The driver believes the men had called him to Badash Avenue at about 9.45pm on Sunday with the intention of carrying out the robbery.

He thinks they had called the company to Nansen Road prior to the incident but had then not turned up, calling again later with a the Badash Avenue address.

Eric Pearl of the Ipswich Taxi Driver Association said the incident was the first of its kind in the town.

He said: “We have been fearing robberies like this and this the first of that sort - it is pretty scary.

“The police have just given us a safety leaflet on how to look after ourselves but if you have a person determined to rob you then it is going to happen, you have just got to limit the dangers.”

The first robber is described as of mixed race, 20-25, 5ft 5in tall and of chubby build.

He wore a dark hooded top with the hood up. The others both wore hoods and were of a smaller build.

Anyone who witnessed the robbery should call Pc Amanda Hazell at Ipswich CID on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Have you been a victim of robbery? Write to: Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail: eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.