A garage worker has told how a robber threatened to kill him then punched him repeatedly in the face.

Sri Putta, 25, moved to England from India four months ago in search of a better life but now lives in fear because the offender, who attacked him at work, has not been caught.

Mr Putta was working alone at the Texaco filling station in Ninfield, near Bexhill, when the raider jumped over the counter and grabbed his neck before threatening to stab him to death.

When Mr Putta could not open the till because he did not have the security code, the crook began hitting him in the face before throwing him to the ground and punching his back.

Mr Putta, who moved to Sussex on his own, said: "The man came in for some onions, drinks and sweets and I showed him where to go.

"At the same time, another man wanted to use the cash machine but it was out of order so he left.

"Then the man put the onions and other things on the counter, checked that nobody else was around, then suddenly jumped on me."

When Mr Putta could not open the till, the raider threatened to kill him with a knife in his pocket.

But instead of pulling out a knife he punched the sales assistant three times in the face and threw him to the floor.

The crook then made Mr Putta sit on a chair while he tried to pick up the till.

Mr Putta said: "When he attacked me I knew he didn't have a knife, otherwise he would have pulled it out.

"I pretended to sit there while he was busy trying to lift the till but then I ran out of the shop."

Two workers came out of the Texaco showroom next door after hearing the screaming and the attacker fled. The attack at the Bexhill Road garage, which happened last Sunday at about 2.40pm, has left Mr Putta scared the man might come looking for him.

He said: "When he jumped on me I was frightened because he said he was going to kill me. I'm scared he might come back and it has shaken me up."

The would-be robber was seen earlier that day being dropped off in Bexhill Road by a blue Peugeot 307 estate. Witnesses said he was acting like he was drunk.

He is described as black, with short hair, a round face and a thin moustache and he spoke with an accent.

He was wearing a royal blue Adidas zip-up jacket with three yellow stripes along both arms, jeans and trainers.

The garage was held up at knifepoint in a late-night raid in October 2005 by two men in balaclavas.

Detective Sergeant Dave Bristow, of Bexhill CID, said: "It is important that people who carry out this type of offence are put before the courts.

"I urge anybody with information to contact us as soon as possible."

Anyone with information can contact Bexhill police station on 0845 6070999.