A TAXI driver was kidnapped and forced at knifepoint to take three passengers home, a court heard yesterday.

Trevor Fraser told the men he already had a fare when they approached his cab in Middlesbrough town centre and asked to be taken to an estate in nearby Stockton.

But the trio got into the car and one of the men warned Mr Fraser: "You're taking us to Thorntree. I've got a knife."

Tom Mitchell, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court: "He was in fear of his safety and that fear grew when he felt a sharp object to the left hand side of his neck."

Further threats were made during the late-night journey until Mr Fraser pulled into a cul-de-sac on the estate and ran from the vehicle to call the police from a phone box.

Alan Fagan, 24, of Roworth Road, Thorntree, Stockton, appeared in court yesterday to be sentenced for kidnap, which he admitted.

The attack happened in November 2001 and all three men were due to be sentenced in March 2002, but Fagan fled shortly before the case was heard. The other men, now 22 and 23, were each jailed for two years.

Fagan, who was caught recently, was given two years for kidnap and three months for breaching bail.

Judge Anthony Briggs ordered that a further 99 days left from a previous sentence should be served first.

Fagan's barrister Chris Baker said: "He would say there was no knife involved, but it must have terrified the driver even if there wasn't."