Man who held 'knife' at throat of taxi driver in attempted robbery in Clase is jailedA 22-YEAR-OLD who held a bladed object to the neck of a taxi driver in a "terrifying" attempted robbery has been jailed for a total of six-and-a-half years.
Alexander Nicholas Hill demanded money after grabbing his victim by the collar and pressing the implement — believed to be a knife — through a car window.
Hill, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and also to two unconnected offences of grievous bodily harm, and affray during an attack on an innocent man and his partner less than a fortnight later.
Prosecuting, Nicola Powell told the court that on January 25 of this year, Hill had attempted to rob taxi driver William Brailey outside a home in Clase.
Hill's then-girlfriend had entered the taxi, but the "intoxicated" defendant had grabbed Mr Brailey by the collar through his taxi's driver's-side window, demanding money, the court heard.
"There was an implement against his throat and he believed it to be a knife," the prosecutor added.
The court heard Mr Brailey was able to grab hold of the implement and pull it away from his throat, before driving off as Hill kicked his car. Judge Keith Thomas said: "This must have been a terrifying experience for the driver."
Hill — seven days after committing an offence of affray — was, on May 14, joined by James O'Connell, aged 20, and Christopher Paul Johns, aged 34, when they kicked and punched a male victim as he sat with his partner near Morriston Cemetery, causing him fractures to the face, the court heard.
The three pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm.
A fourth defendant, Tracey Elizabeth Williams, aged 44, pleaded guilty to robbery after taking a handbag, two mobile phones, money and loose jewellery belonging to the victim's partner.
In mitigation, Andrew Evans, for Hill, said: "A letter he has written expresses his remorse.
"His background is a difficult one to say the least."
Mr Evans told the court that after he was released from custody in 2013, he had intended to "live a law-abiding life", but when his then girlfriend suffered a miscarriage, he spiralled back into drink and controlled drugs.
Williams, of Tredegar Road, Gorseinon, was given a 20-month suspended prison sentence.
Johns, of Third Avenue, Clase, was jailed for two years. O'Connell, of Elan Avenue, Clase, was given an 18-month supervision order and told to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work
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