Teenager Jailed For Attack On Taxi Driver
30 July 2009
A teenager who attacked a taxi driver and robbed him of his takings has been jailed.
Ashley Smythe, 18, of St John's Court, Halifax, admitted robbing Mohammed Jamil.
He was sentenced to two years in a young offender institution.
Bradford Crown Court heard the robbery happened on May 2 when he and another teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, called for a taxi to the Shepherd's Rest pub, Sowerby Bridge.
Judith Naylor, prosecuting, said Mr Jamil, who has been a taxi driver for 20 years, arrived just after 11pm.
He saw Smythe and the other boy nearby and called to them.
They asked how much it would cost to go to Pellon, Halifax, before Smythe's accomplice punched Mr Jamil.
Mrs Naylor said: "That initial punch was followed by further punches by Smythe."
The robbers demanded money and took a bag containing Mr Jamil's takings and personal documents.
The pair ran off when a witness shouted at them and walked towards the taxi.
Mr Jamil, who has been unable to work since the incident, needed hospital treatment for a cut above his eye.
Smythe told police he had been drinking all day and there was no money left to buy any more.
He has previous convictions for violence and was the subject of a community order when he carried out the taxi robbery.
Ken Green, for Smythe, said: "At the time this decision was taken to rob the taxi driver, this man was clearly heavily in drink.
"That is not an excuse but nevertheless may explain his conduct that evening."
Judge Jonathan Rose branded Smythe a "violent thug".
He told Smythe: "This man, a taxi driver for many many years, underwent a quite terrifying ordeal at the hands of you and your colleague.
"This was a pre-planned, pre-meditated offence and the taxi driver was called only for the purpose of robbing him."
Source; HalifaxCourier.co.uk
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