Taxi driver left terrified when passenger pulled knife and robbed him after pick up from his Gateshead home
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/no ... r-29998795
A taxi driver was left terrified when a passenger pulled out a knife and robbed him.
The 60-year-old cabbie was called to Kieran Elsdon's home in Gateshead on May 30 this year to pick him up. Once inside the car, he ordered him to change route before telling him to get out of the car.
When the cabbie turned to face him in the back, he held a knife to his face and struck him to the cheek, causing swelling to his left eye. The victim jumped out of his car and Elsdon got in the driver's seat and drove away, crashing into a parked car nearby and causing extensive damage.
Newcastle Crown Court heard Elsdon, 21, of Harvey Crescent, Wardley, Gateshead, was easily traced, having ordered the taxi to pick him up at home. He had stolen £200 in cash from the car and also a vape.
He pleaded guilty to robbery, having a bladed article, driving while disqualified, having no insurance and failing to stop after an accident. He was locked up for 40 months.
Tony Cornberg, defending, said: "It was a pointless offence. there was no background or end game to it.
"He is genuinely remorseful and has been scared all the time he has been in prison."
