Bungling knifeman who robbed cabbie and crashed taxi is jailed
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Ben Platt, of Burton Crescent, Wolverhampton, has been jailed for seven years
Image: Birmingham Mail/West Midlands Police
A warped knifeman who threatened and assaulted a cabbie - before ploughing his taxi into a row of parked cars - has been jailed for seven years.
Ben Platt, of Burton Crescent, Wolverhampton , launched the terrifying attack on the unsuspecting driver in Hilton Street at around 11pm.
Wolverhampton Crown Court heard that the cabbie handed over cash to Platt before he was dragged out of his car and punched repeatedly during the beating on March 22, 2017.
The 26-year-old then jumped in the taxi - a Vauxhall Zafira - and drove off at speed in the direction of Wednesfield Road.
He didn’t get far and the car was later found by officers around the corner, after having crashed into three stationary cars.
Blood was recovered from the steering wheel of the taxi and Platt was later arrested from his home address.
Platt, 26, was found guilty of robbery, possession of a bladed article and criminal damage on Monday, February 25, and has been sentenced to seven years in prison.
Det Con Joanna Harris, from Force CID said: “This was a cowardly incident where an innocent man was beaten and robbed.
“We are pleased Platt will not be free to walk the streets for some time, and this will hopefully provide some comfort to the victim."
