“Dangerous criminal” sentenced for taxi driver kidnap A “dangerous criminal” who kidnapped and robbed a taxi driver at knifepoint was sentenced to six years in prison at Luton Crown Court this morning (April 26).
Jordon James, 22, of no fixed abode, appeared via video link from Norwich Prison, and was told he would serve two-thirds of the six year custodial sentence, followed by an extended licence of five years because he “poses a significant risk to the public.”
The court heard how James said he felt “no remorse” for the incident in November 2012, in which he and co-defendant Jamie Scott held a taxi driver at knifepoint and used an imitation firearm to force him to drive them to Luton and withdraw cash.
Sentencing James, His Honour Judge Richard Foster said: “This is an horrific offence and the victim must have been absolutely terrified – as he said he was in fear of his life.
“The chilling part of this was your response to what you did and what you said to the probation officer. You showed absolutely no remorse for what you did. It’s quite clear from what you say that you would do it again if you needed to.”
The court heard how James and Scott were picked up by taxi driver Mohammed Rahan, 30, in Kempston on November 16 last year.
Jordan held a 10inch kitchen knife to Mr Rahan’s throat while Scott threatened him with an imitation firearm, forcing him to drive them to Luton where they wanted him to withdraw £300 from a cash machine.
Mr Rahan threw himself from the moving vehicle in front of two passing police officers who were on foot patrol, twisting his ankle in the process.
The officers gave chase to the robbers and were threatened with the imitation firearm, but managed to arrest the pair.
In a statement read out in court, Mr Rahan said: “I was really scared, genuinely afraid they were going to kill me. I couldn’t eat or drink for a few days after as I was so frightened and shocked. I would like to give up my job as a taxi driver but necessity forces me to continue, albeit during the day rather than the evening shift.”
James has nine previous convictions for 22 offences, including harassment, possession of cocaine with intent to supply, supply of cannabis, possession of a bladed article, street robberies, firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence, breaching terms of license.
He was sentenced today for kidnap, robbery, possessing an imitation firearm and having a bladed article.
Judge Foster said: “You are a dangerous criminal, not just based on the facts of this case but also on your criminal history. You pose a significant risk to the public of causing serious injury if not worse.
“You are a young man, one hopes that when you serve the custodial part of the sentence in prison you have the support of the probation service and you will leave custody as a reformed character, but I have no guarantee of that.”
Scott will return to Luton Crown Court for sentencing on May 10 as his pre-trial report was not ready today.
http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/news/local/ ... -1-5040792
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