A taxi-driver who was punched, dragged from his cab and then robbed on the streets of Paignton urged police today: "Catch these people quickly and lock them up."Paul Tout (pictured) was set upon by all three of his young fares after they told him they didn't have the funds to pay for their ride from Torquay to Palace Avenue in the early hours of yesterday.

One of his attackers held him down on the ground with a fist in his face while his two mates plundered his silver Mitsubishi Carisma Elegance vehicle, taking £250 from a cash tray and a Samsung V490 mobile phone worth £375.

Paul, nursing bruises to his jaw at home in Kingskerswell, said: "I've only just got over years of anxiety and depression which I suffered when three blokes put a hole in my skull 15 years ago.

 

"My fear is these feelings will now return."

He picked up the young men, all in their late teens, from the Devon Kebab House in Torwood Street and dropped them off near Rossiter's department store at 3am.

His problems began when the youths said they didn't have the £12 to pay the fare.

"I took one of their passports to keep until they made payment later.

"One of them then punched me in the jaw and grabbed me round the neck before dragging me from the cab.

"While this was happening the others helped themselves to what was in the vehicle.

"I'm still a bit sore - and I will have to go to hospital for a check-up."

He added: "These people think they can get away with it. This sort of thing is happening week in and week out. It's time it stopped.

"They should be locked up for good. I hope they are caught soon."

Paul revealed he 'had a rock through the skull' for telling three people to pick on someone their own size when they taunted a crippled girl in Torquay in the early 1990s.

"I've only got over the anxiety and depression three years ago. I've also been left with a permanent dent in my head," said Paul, who is 41 and has only just started working for Torbay Cab Company.

He praised his bosses and colleagues for their care and concern after his ordeal.

Det Sgt Pete Rendell, who is heading the search for the trio, said his officers had retrieved 'very sharp' images of a group of suspects they are anxious speak to.

He added: "We are planning to release these images later as part of our inquiry.

"Robbery like this is a very serious offence. It carries a pretty hefty tariff.

"We take a very dim view of anyone who uses violence against someone who is providing a public service.

"This was done for a sum of money which amounted to not much more than such a group of youngsters might spend on drink over a weekend.

"There would appear to be no good reason for this attack to have happened. It was a quite despicable act.

"We will throw what resources we can to find those responsible and bring them to justice.

"To that end we would appeal for help from anyone who may have seen three lads in the Palace Avenue area shortly after the incident which happened at about 3am.

"Any information received will be gratefully accepted."

He said the three youngsters sought had been out for the night in Torquay - possibly at a nightclub foam party.

Anyone able to help with inquiries can contact DS Rendell on 08452 777444, quoting log 104 of June 20.

Callers can also take advantage of the confidential Crimestoppers service on 0800 555111.

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