Taxi Driver Online

Armed robber told taxi driver he was Burger Bar gang member in terrifying incident

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/m ... r-25768605

After directing a taxi driver to an address in Erdington Thomas Lunt threatened him and then robbed him of £140

A menacing taxi passenger claimed to be a member of a notorious Birmingham gang before threatening and robbing the driver. Thomas Lunt, who said he was part of the Burger Boys, climbed on top of the victim and put a weapon against his neck during the terrifying incident.

A booking was made at around 2am on December 14 2020 for a woman to be picked up at an address in Hunters Road, Lozells and be taken to Slade Road in Erdington. When the driver arrived a woman and Lunt both got in, a court heard.

During the journey the driver asked who was going to pay and Lunt said it was him. He said though that he had to go to a cash point and that his card only worked in Erdington.

Sally Cairns, prosecuting at Birmingham Crown Court, said the driver thought that was "strange" and that the defendant then offered him a bracelet as a surety. The driver phoned his control and was told to keep it until the passenger paid.

"Whilst on the journey the defendant made various comments that he had been in prison and was a member of the Burger Bar gang," said Miss Cairns. She said the victim initially missed the address and made a U turn but was then directed to a road which turned out to be a dead end.

At this point Lunt demanded his bracelet back and Miss Cairns continued: "The defendant then leaned over and snatched the bracelet off the driver and pulled on the handbrake stopping the car." She said the victim could see he had some kind of object and Lunt said 'What would you do if I stabbed you?'

The weapon was then held close to the driver's neck and face and the defendant demanded money and car keys. In fear the victim gave him the keys along with £140. She added: "The defendant got on top of him and said 'You are very lucky'."

Miss Cairns said Lunt and the woman then fled but another taxi driver who came to help then saw the defendant, followed him to a petrol station where he was arrested.

In a statement the victim said that he had driven taxis for seven to eight years but had stopped working because of what had happened and that he suffered flashbacks. Lunt, 22, of Parklands Road, Darlaston, who had previously been found guilty of robbery after failing to turn up for his trial, was jailed for five years and one month.

In passing sentence Judge Heidi Kubic said: "This was a despicable offence committed against a taxi driver, serving the public, in the early hours of the morning when he was vulnerable." She said that although the victim, when he gave evidence, did not say Lunt had a knife, she said she was sure that he did have a weapon and that he had threatened him.

Andrew Wilkins, defending, said that Lunt had intended to attend his trial but he had lost his nerve and panicked. He said he had demonstrated a lack of maturity and at the time had been kicked out of his accommodation and was drinking too much.

All because he didn't want to pay the fare and thought he was on a winner against a lone cabby.

Well done to the other cabby that followed the scumbag.

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IDFIMH