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Two jailed for taxi robberies
TWO robbers have been jailed for attacks on taxi drivers in Bolton. James Anthony Lee, aged 41, of Firwood Avenue, Farnworth, pleaded guilty to theft, robbery and possessing a bladed article in a public place at Bolton Crown Court. Jason Anthony Rushton, also aged 41, of Barton Road, Farnworth, pleaded guilty to theft, possessing a controlled drug and robbery.
Today Lee was jailed for four and a half years and Rushton was jailed for six years. The court heard how the men targeted a 35-year-old taxi driver in March, who was asked to pick up a fare from Lee’s home address.
Lee, Rushton and two others got in the victim’s taxi and asked to be driven to various locations in Walkden, Swinton and then back to Farnworth. On their way out of the taxi, Rushton snatched the driver's satellite navigation device and ran off with it.
The victim chased him, but then realised that he had left the keys in his car ignition, so turned back but by this point the three others had driven off in the car, which was found abandoned on Crescent Avenue, Farnworth, a short time later, but without the keys.
Two days later the pair robbed a 57-year-old taxi driver at knfepoint in an alley behind Buckley Lane, Farnworth. In the struggle he was slashed on the wrist. The victim got out of his car and managed to pin down Lee with help from passers by and Lee was arrested. Rushton was later traced to Lee's home address.
Det Con Stephen Riddle, speaking after the case, said: "Offences such as this rightfully cause concern among members of the taxi-driving community. “Today’s result should provide them with reassurance that any incidents of this nature, in particular those involving a weapon, will be robustly investigated by us and the offenders put before the courts."
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