Cabbie jumped out of taxi as knifeman tried to stab him in terrifying Hanley robbery
https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/st ... n-10807441
Robber James Whitehouse was one of two men who targeted a taxi driver in a terrifying knifepoint mugging. The 29-year-old and his unknown accomplice came across the cabbie near The Golden Cup in Hanley at 9pm in February last year.
One was wearing a balaclava and the other had a knife. The one with the blade said, 'Give me the money, give me the money, give me your phone', and tried to stab the terrified driver.
The other man grabbed the cabbie's chest and neck area. Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard the victim escaped through the passenger door before the defendants drove off with his taxi which contained his passport, iPhone, £140 and house keys.
The defendant's DNA was found in the cab which was recovered in Hanley. The phone was seized when police stopped the defendant in a BMW. Now Whitehouse has been jailed for 42 months.
Prosecutor Giles Pengelly said the cabbie had been to the gym after work and was parked opposite The Golden Cup pub at 9pm on February 10, 2025 to try and pick up a few additional fares. Mr Pengelly said: "He opened the driver's window to let in some fresh air and was looking through TikTok when two young men leaned over him. One had a balaclava on, the other had a knife.
"The one with the knife said, 'Give me the money, give me the money, give me your phone'. The one with the knife looked like he was going to stab the driver and he seriously attempted to do that.
"The one without the knife grabbed the driver in his chest and neck area. The driver tried to escape through the passenger door. The one with the knife tried to lean over and stop him. The driver fell to the floor as he tried to get away. The one without the knife kicked the victim to his mouth. The car drove off."
The court heard the victim was left with red marks to his face, scratches, grazes and reddening to his chest. In a victim statement he said the job he enjoyed now causes him fear and apprehension.
Whitehouse, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to robbery.
Paul Cliff, mitigating, said the defendant offered his apologies to the court and the victim. Mr Cliff said: "He contends he was not the one holding the knife. He accepts that joint enterprise is bound to apply.
"When he was 16 he began to dabble with drugs. He began to use cocaine and excessive alcohol consumption. Problems developed. His mental health has been a source of concern for a number of years.
"He has been diagnosed with emotionally unstable personality disorder. He has been subject to recall. He has tried to use his time in custody well."
Judge Graeme Smith told Whitehouse: "It seems this was not a planned robbery but very much an opportunistic robbery in respect of a taxi driver who found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was randomly targeted.
"One of you had a knife. He was threatened with the knife. Physical violence was used against him. He was scared enough to leap out of the vehicle and was then kicked in the mouth. And he suffered psychological harm.
"This was a nasty and totally unnecessary robbery. The victim will have to live with the fear for a very long time."