The angry Newcastle Uber customer who turned violent and pulled out a knife
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/no ... o-34113731
A cabbie had a knife swiped at his abdomen and was punched during a terrifying robbery by a customer. The Uber driver had picked up Karl Glendenning on February 17 this year and they became involved in a dispute over whether he had been taken to the correct address and whether he would let him pay by cash, as he was trying to do.
Rather than resolving that amicably, Glendenning punched the man in the jaw then pulled out a knife with an eight-inch blade. Fearing he would be further attacked, the driver got out, at which point Glendenning moved from the back of the car to the driver's seat.
He then swiped his knife towards the abdomen of the driver, who managed to jump out of the way. Glendenning then drove off, running over the man's phone as he did so, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
A security system on the car meant he could not get far in it. He also racially insulted the victim and threw a bottle at him which missed. The court heard the driver lost out financially as a result of the attack
Glendenning, 29, of Woodleigh View, Kenton, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to robbery, having a bladed article, racially aggravated harassment and assaulting an emergency worker - he spat at a police officer, but missed. The court heard he has previous convictions relating to weapons and a judge said he was a dangerous offender. He was sentenced to four years and four months with an extended licence of a further two years and was given a restraining order in respect of the victim.
In mitigation, it was said that Glendenning is a changing man now he has become a father, he has a trusted job in prison, has recognised he has a drug problem which he is getting help for, is making efforts to distance himself from bad influences on the outside and wants to find employment.