A TAXI driver was threatened by a knife-wielding man after taking him to an address in Darwen in the early hours.

Blackburn magistrates heard that the terrified driver managed to hold his door shut before engaging first gear and driving away from the “terrifying” situation.

Brent West, 25, of Gordon Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty to possessing a knife in Olive Lane, using threatening behaviour towards the taxi driver and using threatening behaviour towards police officers following his arrest.

He was committed on bail to Preston Crown Court for sentence.

Andrew Robinson, prosecuting, said taxi driver Shaun West - no relation - had worked in the trade for 30 years and said it was the most frightening incident he had experienced.

“He was in fear for his life,” said Mr Robinson.

When the taxi pulled up outside an address in Olive Lane, West got out of the back seat and went to open the driver’s door.

“At that point he had a knife in his hand and was shouting at the driver to get out of the car,” said Mr Robinson.

“He managed to hold the door shut until he could engage first gear and drive off before calling the police.”