Two men jailed after punching taxi driver to the face and making off with his £30 takings
Owain Button and Daniel Hughes
Two men who robbed a taxi driver, punching him in his face and body, have been jailed for three years and four months.
Daniel Hughes and Owain Button, both 25, pleaded guilty to robbery at Cardiff Crown Court.
The court heard how on Sunday, May 11 the pair were socialising in Pontypridd town centre when they decided to flag down a taxi.
After they were picked up, the driver overheard them saying they did not have enough money to pay the fare.
He threw them out of the taxi, but they were then picked up by a second driver.
The thugs told the 61-year-old driver they would pay the fare when they arrived at their destination and he believed them.
The court heard that they instead restrained the taxi driver by the throat, punching him in his face and body.
Tracey Loyd-Nesling, prosecuting, said: “There were aggravating factors involved. There was the restraining of the victim, it was pre-planned and committed at night and racial abuse was used.”
The driver, described as “vulnerable” and “not a large man”. He also suffered “psychological injuries,” the court was told.
They continued to beat the driver until a woman shouted at them, which made them flee the scene after stealing around £30 from the driver and a cloth bag in his car.
Hughes, of Middle Street, Pontypridd and Button, of Elizabeth Street, Tonyrefail, pleaded guilty to one charge of robbery.
Alexander Greenwood, defending Hughes, said: “He is ashamed of what he has done.
“He was under the influence of alcohol and he has not drunk since.”
The court also heard how Button, a former soldier, fell into “bad company” following the end of his military career.
Judge Michael Burr told them: “This is a serious matter. Taxi drivers in particular are very vulnerable individuals.
“They are entitled to full protection and support in the community.”
source: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales ... ng-8299843
