A taxi driver was threatened with a kitchen knife during a late-night kidnap on the streets of Bradford, a court heard today.

Anthony Morgan, 23, of Sunbridge Road, Bradford, is mentally ill and unfit to stand trial and a jury must decide if allegations of kidnap, actual bodily harm, having an offensive weapon and criminal damage are proved against him.

Judge Peter Benson said it was an unusual trial because Morgan was too ill to appear in court.

Taxi driver James Howard told how he picked up a man in a hooded top from Leeds Railway Station at 2am on July 18 last year.

He asked to go to Dewsbury but changed his mind and was driven to Bradford.

He did not give specific directions and went from Tyersal to Cottingley, back to the city centre and towards Halifax.

Mr Howard said that after he discovered his fare had no money, and told him he was taking him to Leeds Police Station, he was threatened with a knife.

The man ordered him to stop on Halifax Road and smashed the driver’s window before making off.

Mr Howard said he was “petrified” and suffered cuts, bruising and a bite from his kidnapper.

The trial continues.