Knifeman caught after cabbie took picture on mobile phone A QUICK-THINKING taxi driver who was robbed at knifepoint in Coventry took a snap on his mobile which helped cops trace his attacker.
The photo taken by the cabbie eventually led to the arrest of perpetrator Kirk Mackellar, of Faulkner House, Stoney Stanton Road, who was jailed at Coventry Crown Court.
The terrifying incident happened on August 9 as the cabbie sat in his stationary taxi in Cromwell Street, Foleshill.
Mackellar, 34, approached the taxi at about 7pm and threatened the driver with a kitchen knife, which was hidden in his trousers.
He demanded his victim hand over all his cash as he opened the door to his cab.
Not content with the £20 he was handed, Mackellar demanded more – and even frisked the victim for extra money.
Mackellar eventually made off with the £20 unaware the taxi driver had taken a snapshot of him on his mobile phone.
The photo was used by police to trace the offender and he was later arrested. Mackellar admitted a charge of robbery in relation to the offence at a previous hearing.
Warren Stanier, prosecuting, said: “The defendant approached the taxi, the driver opened the door.
“The defendant then reached down into his waist band and pulled out a kitchen knife with a blade measuring four to six inches.
“The defendant held the knife against his body, pointing the knife at the taxi driver
“The defendant made a demand for money and the driver produced £20 which he handed over.
“The defendant demanded more and when the driver said he didn’t have any, searched the driver with one hand while he held the knife with the other.”
Describing how Mackellar made off when his search proved unsuccessful, Mr Stanier added: “It was as the defendant was walking off that the victim took a photo of the defendant using his mobile phone and that resulted in the arrest of the defendant.
“This victim was serving the public as a taxi driver when the offence was committed.”
David Murray, representing Mackellar, who has a lengthy criminal record of 76 previous convictions, said: “He has the best intentions of turning his back on his offending behaviour.
“The trigger for his most recent fall from grace is his drug habit and alcohol with the break-up of his relationship.”
Jailing Mackellar for two years, Recorder Geoffrey Kelly said: “Robbery with a knife is always a very serious crime.
“The fact that a knife was present means that it may well be used.
“There really can’t be any excuse for the way you behaved that day.
“There’s no doubt in my mind at all that you were threatening him with that knife.”
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