Thug held cabbie at knifepoint and stole his takings A TAXI driver from Burton was robbed by a knifeman who threatened to ‘cut him up’, a judge has heard.
Cabbie Atta Choudhury was taking two men to Cannock where he was directed in to a dead-end street.
One of the men, Daniel Shaw, got out of the taxi, walked round to the driver’s window and produced a 12-inch knife.
Joanne Barker, prosecuting at Stafford Crown Court, said Shaw demanded Mr Choudhury hand over his cash tin and pressed the knife against the cabbie’s arm, threatening to use it if he did not comply.
The taxi driver handed over a case containing his money. Shaw took out the notes and flung the loose change back in to the cab before fleeing, discarding the knife on the way.
Shaw, 20, of Harrison Road, Cannock, was jailed for two years and four months after admitting charges of robbery and possessing a blade on January 24 this year, and a separate offence of threaten- ing to take revenge in April.
Miss Barker told the court that the other man in the taxi with Shaw, Daniel Plant, had played no part in the robbery and later made a statement to police corroborating Mr Choudhury’s account.
Following his arrest, Shaw posted comments on Facebook and sent text messages threatening to ‘batter and stab’ Mr Plant.
When questioned by police, Shaw at first claimed the taxi driver had threatened him and he had not used a knife.
Judge Patrick Thomas QC told Shaw: “Taxi drivers perform a public service, particularly at night, and dealing with drunks they put themselves at constant risk. They are entitled to the protection of the courts.
“On this night you got drunk and you and your friend got a taxi. You plainly had it in mind not to pay and you were carrying a knife.
“People who use knives as a threat can expect significant custodial sentences.”
Harpreet Sandhu, defending, said Shaw had shown genuine remorse and was taking steps to address his alcohol misuse.
http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/Thug-h ... 082012.htm
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