A MASKED attacker smashed a taxi driver in the face with the handle of a hammer before stealing his cash in a late-night robbery.
The Value Cars cab driver pulled up in Wessex Road, Salisbury, at approximately 11.30pm yesterday, expecting to pick up a fare.
But a man wearing a ski mask pulled open his door and hit him in the face with the wooden handle of the tool before snatching his money bag and making his escape.
Value Cars boss Scott Woodford said the driver was shaken up but not badly hurt after the "absolutely awful" attack.
It was lucky the attacker did not use the metal end of the hammer or the driver's injuries would have been much worse, he said.
"It was a very frightening experience for everybody."
CCTV footage from the taxi's dashboard camera does not show the attacker, who approached from the side of the car.
Mr Woodford said: "He [the driver] initially thought it was a bit of a joke when he saw the ski mask, but then pretty soon realised it was a violent robbery."
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