Leeds footballer in plot to rob taxi drivers
11 August 2010
A promising young footballer has been jailed for his part in a plot to lure taxi drivers to Leeds estates and rob them of cash.
William Miala, 19, who Leeds Crown Court heard had played at both Manchester United and Leeds United, was locked up for four-and-a-half years yesterday after pleading guilty to two counts of robbery and one of affray.
The court heard that Miala, right, of Holborn Towers, Woodhouse, along with two accomplices disguised by bandanas, targeted taxi drivers in the early hours by calling them to parts of Leeds then threatening them into handing over money and possessions.
Prosecutor, Diana Maudsley, told the court the first incident happened on July 19 last year when a taxi driver was called to Ashton Place, Harehills just before 3.30am.
In what Judge Paul Hoffman called a "set-up", the group of three men then stole around £140 and a satellite navigation system worth £120.
In the second robbery, a driver for the same firm was called to an address in the Burmantofts area on July 21 last year.
The caller gave the name "Brian", the court heard.
When the driver arrived, a man got into the rear of the taxi and slid over to the seat behind him before saying "Don't move, I have a knife."
Two other men then helped rob the terrified driver of £100, an iPod and a satellite navigation system.
In both incidents, Miala's fingerprints were found on the taxis and he
was later traced by police along with some of the items that were stolen.
The court also heard that Miala was involved in an incident on September 26 last year in which a man was confronted by a gang in the Burmantofts area before being punched and kicked and his watch stolen.
Miala was later picked up by police and the watch was found in his pocket.
In mitigation, Andrew Stranex said his client had had a promising future but had fallen in with a bad crowd when he came to Leeds.
Jailing Miala, Judge Hoffman said: "This court must do what it can to try to protect vulnerable taxi drivers who operate on behalf of the public, doing public service."
Source; http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/n ... 6467976.jp
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