A Belfast taxi driver needed 16 stitches after he was attacked while at work in Ardoyne at the weekend.
Paul Quinn, who works for FonaCab, had collected a male and female passenger in the early hours of Sunday June 5 and on arrival to their destination, the male produced two knives.
He held the weapons up to Paul's neck and demanded he handed over money, causing a struggle in the vehicle.
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Paul's wife Celine told North Belfast News that her husband saw "death before his eyes".
She said: "He feared the worst. He then put his hand up to try and grab the knife but the man pulled it away and that is when Paul got injured.
"Thankfully, my son lives nearby so Paul was able to go there and get him out of bed and get help.
"He is still a bit shaken and sore. He got 16 stitches, including five in his ear and 11 between three fingers.
"He wasn't kept in hospital but he's not back to work yet. I think it will be another week or so before he is back.
"To the people who did this, they are the dirt of the earth. How dare anyone carry a weapon like a knife? Paul is my man and I could have been burying him this week.
"These people need caught quickly and put behind bars.
"Paul was out doing a night's work trying to earn a living. Life is tough enough as it is with the cost of living and after Covid.
"Paul has plenty of support from his family so we will get through this ordeal."
Detectives are appealing for information following the attack and asked anyone with information to come forward.
"It was reported at around 3.50am that a taxi driver had collected a male and female passenger a short time earlier and taken them to the Cranbrook Court area," Detective Sergeant Young said.
"On arrival, the female passenger exited the vehicle but the male produced two knives and held them to the driver’s neck, before demanding money.
"There was a struggle inside the vehicle, during which the victim, aged in his 50s, sustained a number of injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening at this stage. He was taken to hospital for treatment.
"The suspect was described as being approximately 30 years of age, of medium build and tall. He was also described as wearing a baseball cap and a dark-coloured tracksuit, with a face mask.
"Our enquiries into this incident are ongoing and we would appeal to anyone with information to contact police on 101 quoting reference 416 of 5/6/22.
"Alternatively, you can submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.
"You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/."
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