A BRIERLEY Hill driver was left covered in blood after a brutal late night attack.

Ishfaq Hussain went to pick up a fare in Kidderminster Road, Kingswinford, at 10.30pm on Saturday (July 8), when a distressed woman jumped into the car and urged him to "drive".

As the 38-year-old started to move off, he claims a man stepped in front of the car, forcing him to stop.

Mr Hussain said the man then opened the driver's door and said "where do you think you're going?" before punching him.

The father-of-four, who works for Fastline Taxis, was knocked out cold according to Shaz Saleem, chairman of the Dudley Taxi and Private Hire Association, who said: "He can't remember anything after that."

Mr Hussain was taken to Russells Hall Hospital for treatment but is still waiting to find out the extent of his injuries.

"He has injuries to his head and is still in shock but the main concern is for his vision, which has been affected" said Mr Saleem.

"He's in pain and has been experiencing dizziness and is completely scared.

"He has been told that he can't drive for a while, which has put his livelihood in serious jeopardy - he's got four kids to look after and a mortgage.

"But when - and if - he is medically fit to drive, he doesn't know if he'll have the confidence to go back."

A West Midlands Police spokesman said: "It’s understood a woman was trying to leave the scene of a domestic argument - and when her partner tried to pull her from the taxi a fight broke out between the man and the driver.

"Enquiries are under way to trace the offender."