A MAN has told of the terrifying moment thugs pointed a gun in his face and stole his car.

The 21-year-old was driving his black Vauxhall Corsa in Petunia Close, Basildon, when a silver Fiat 500 stopped in front of him at the junction with Little Oxdown.

A man got out, walked to the victim’s window, pointed a small silver handgun at him and told him not to move. The victim, who does not want to be named, said: “Three other guys got out of the Fiat and walked over.

“They asked ‘what did I have for them’.

“Then they opened my driver’s door and I tried to fight back against them.

“That was when they hit me – maybe ten times. I was trying to fight them, but then I realised there was too many of them, so I just ran into the estate.

“The gun looked pretty real to me and, to be honest, I did not want to hang around to find out for sure.” One of the gang briefly chased the victim into the housing estate, before giving up.

He said: “I can’t remember how long I waited to go back. It was maybe a couple of minutes. Just until I thought it was safe.”

When he returned, his Corsa and the Fiat 500 had both gone.

The victim said the gang were English and spokewith London or Thurrock accents.

He said: “I think it was probably just a random attack. I was just driving home, minding my own business.

“I did not recognise them, I have no idea who they are.”

The attack happened at 12.45am on Thursday, November 6.

The victim added: “I don’t think this type of thing would happen if the street lights were on. While the attack was happening I was confused about where they were coming from because it was so dark.

“I feel really angry and frustrated about the whole thing. I really just want my car back.”

Three of the gang were black and one was white.

All were dressed in tracksuits with the hoods up.

Essex Police have not linked the attack to a string of robberies in the early hours of Sunday, November 2, where five people were beaten up for their mobile phones.

Anyone with information about this incident should contact Det Con Dawkins at Basildon CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.