A taxi driver was left with horrendous injuries after being punched unconscious as he waited in his cab.

Rob King, 64, was parked in Sheerness High Street when a thug rained blows through the open driver’s window in an apparently unprovoked attack.

Mr King, a grandfather and former champion boxer, is recovering at home in Minster but hasn’t been able to work since.

The attack happened in the early hours of Sunday, July 1.

Mr King’s partner Dhareigne Pearce said: “Rob was waiting for a fare outside the Cyprus kebab and pizza shop when this yob came over and punched the hell out of him through the open window.

“This was a senseless and totally unprovoked attack on a 64-year-old man. It was so fast and vicious that it knocked him for six.

“He is afraid to leave the house and because he can’t work he doesn’t get paid.”

The assault knocked out one of Mr King’s front teeth and may have broken his cheek bone. It left him with huge bruises and a black-eye. Teenager Jack Adlam, 19, ran to the rescue and protected Mr King from more blows.

Mrs Pearce said: “If it had not been for him, I dread to think what would have happened to Rob.”

Mr King was taken back to his base at mini-cab firm Royal Taxis in Blue Town and then driven to Medway Maritime Hospital where he was checked over and later released.

It was in the 1970s he chalked up wins in the boxing ring to become Kent middle-weight champ and even won a British tournament.

He said: “I don’t know what’s happening to Sheppey. I was born and bred on the Island but in the past 10 years the violence has got worse.”

His step-daughter, Krystal Pearce, 31, said: “We are all devastated. My poor children Ellis,10, and Shayley, seven, were genuinely scared to see their grandad in that state. I’m shocked at this callous crime.

“I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. It has broken mine and my mum’s hearts.”

“I don’t know what’s happening to Sheppey. I was born and bred on the Island but in the past 10 years the violence has got worse" - Rob King

Police said a 19-year-old man from Sheerness has been charged with actual bodily harm and will appear at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, July 26.