Taxi driver Keith Strange. Ref: 77496-06TAXI driver Keith Strange has spoken for the first time about a terrifying attack.

Mr Strange was held at knifepoint by three hoodie-clad thugs after picking them up in his Nissan Primera.

But the 51-year-old is determined to get back out on the road.

As we reported in Wednesday's Advertiser, just before 2am on Wednesday morning Mr Strange was attacked by three men at Shaw Village Centre in Ramleaze.

He said: "I got a call at about 1.30am to go to the village centre. When I got there no one was waiting. Then after five minutes I saw three blokes come walking up to me in my mirror. I had a gut feeling about them."

One man sat next to Mr Strange in the front passenger seat and the other two climbed into the back.

They asked to go to Toothill Village Centre and then back to Shaw Village Centre.

Mr Strange said: "I thought they were going to do a runner. Two of them got out the car and the one behind me stayed there.

"One walked round and pulled my door open. He pulled a 6-inch knife out on me and pointed it to my ribs.

"Then the one sat behind me grabbed hold of me round the neck. He hit me in the face with his fist, cutting my nose and lip.

"He pulled me backwards so hard that my seat broke.

"His arm was covering my mouth. I was gasping for breath. I was really scared. I really thought I was going to die."

The thugs managed to snatch Mr Strange's Siemens Orange mobile phone, a green cloth bag, containing £20 and his house keys. Then the robbers ran off.

He was bruised, a cracked rib and scratches down his back.

But, Mr Strange, who has driven for Link Radio Cars in Highworth for 12 years is determined not to let the ordeal stop him working.

He said: "I'm going to get back out there. If I get another gut feeling, I'll drive off. I think I'll feel scared for the first few hours. But if I don't work, I don't get paid."

He said: "It would be a shame if I let them stop me doing a job I like.

"If I don't carry on then they've won."

Mr Strange is married to Carole, 48, a teaching assistant and has a daughter Lisa, 27 and son Steven, 21. The couple have three grandchildren. Mrs Strange was shocked by the attack and wants her husband to hang up his keys.

She said: "I'm terrified. I don't want him to do it anymore, it's not worth it."

A 37-year-old man from Middleleaze was arrested at 6.30am on Wednesday morning and held at Westlea police station.

Alvina Kumar, a police spokeswoman said: "He was released yesterday pending further inquiries. He will return to the police station on June 29."

Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack.

The knifeman was a 6ft tall, of slim build and wore a dark blue baseball cap, dark blue jacket and light grey trousers.

The second was a black male, 5ft 8in tall, of muscular build, wearing a dark hooded top.

The third was a black male, 5ft 4in tall, of stocky build, also wore a dark hooded top.

Call Det Sgt Deborah Waters of Swindon CID on 01793 528111.