A taxi driver was stabbed twice and left for dead by two passengers who robbed him of cash and stole his mobile phone in Wolverhampton.The 44-year-old was knifed after picking up the men from Broad Street yesterday.

He suffered injuries to his chest and his leg after one of the attackers was heard to say: “Stab him.”

The Silver Mondeo private hire taxi arrived at Perks Road, Ashmore Park, at around 4.30am.

Dc Mark Gregory, of Wednesfield CID, said one man was in the front passenger seat while the other was sat behind the driver.

“The one behind grabbed him around the neck and they’ve then demanded the money off him. He handed the cash over, and the knives were out at this point.

“They’ve carried on demanding money and he said ‘I’ve got no more’. At that point one said to the other ‘stab him’.”

The victim grappled with the men in the car and stumbled out.

Residents who heard the commotion rushed to the aid of the man, who was today said to be in a stable condition in hospital.

The offenders were two black men in their 20s. They are believed to have been carrying cans of Red Stripe.

They were also seen having an argument with a man, who police want to trace, as they got into the taxi.

Witnesses should call Wednesfield CID on 0845 113 5000.