A TAXI driver who was robbed by screwdriver-wielding men in Howley for £100 has spoken of his ordeal.

Victim Michael Judge, a private hire driver, was attacked by three men while he was at a cash point by Sainsbury’s at around midnight on September 1.

David Massey, aged 24, of Statham Avenue, Orford, Greg Taylor, aged 21, of Brook Street, Orford and Mark Sherlock, aged 28, of James Lee House, Brick Street were each jailed for three years on October 30 for their part in the robbery.

The trio had watched Mr Judge pull up in his taxi before threatening him with violence and stealing his mobile phone, takings and car keys. Mr Judge said: “It has affected me in that when people get in the taxi with hoods on you are dubious about what they are doing and there are areas I don’t like to go into now.

“There have been 18 attacks on taxi drivers recently and very few have been from passengers, it’s mainly from people outside the taxi so it is very frightening. It seems they are targeting taxi drivers as they see us as easy prey because we have money on us and we are on our own.

“Maybe it’s a sign of the times and they are trying to get money by whatever means to live but we have to live as well and sometimes I earn as little as £50 to £60 in an eight-hour shift, out of which has to come all the running costs.

“Hopefully these prison sentences will be a deterrent to others.”