Drunk teen tried to rob cab driverTEENAGER Michael Ford attempted to rob a taxi driver on the anniversary of his mum's death.
Stafford Crown Court yesterday heard the 19-year-old and his accomplice, who was not named, called a cab which collected them in Birches Head shortly before midnight on December 1.
Prosecutor Pat Sullivan said: "Ford and his accomplice hatched a plan to rob a taxi driver.
"They called one cab and got in, but when they saw it had automatic locking doors they realised it was not a good idea. They made their excuses and got out."
But 30 minutes later they called another cab which picked them up in Moston Street, Birches Head.
"They got in the back of the cab and the driver took them to Redhills Road, Milton. They asked him to stop underneath a bridge.
"As the defendant was getting out the accomplice took a knife to the driver's throat. There was a scuffle as the driver fought against the attacker."
The court heard the two men shouted they were only joking as they left.
The driver was left with injuries to his hand.
Mr Sullivan said the driver was left very frightened and no longer wants to work nightshifts, which has had financial consequences for his family.
Ford, of Oak Street, Birches Head, was traced as the call to the taxi firm was made from his sister's land-line.
He pleaded guilty to attempted robbery on the basis he did not know his accomplice had a knife or that he was going to use it.
The defendant was yesterday sentenced to 20 months' detention in a young offenders' institution after he and an accomplice tried to rob a taxi driver.
James Dixon, mitigating, said Ford was quite immature for his age.
But he said the teenager was realistic and knew the likely sentence he would receive.
Mr Dixon said the offence was committed on the anniversary of Ford's mum's death.
He added that the defendant is remorseful.
He said: "This will have had quite an effect on the victim. He is aware he has continued to cause his elder sister a lot of grief."
Judge Paul Glenn told Ford: "You are now 19 and you have been regularly before the courts since the age of 16.
"At the time of this offence you were subject to a community order for a public order matter. That is an aggravating feature.
"Your basis is accepted and I sentence you in accordance with it.
"The most important part is you were not aware of the knife until the other man produced it."
Judge Glenn said the offence was aggravated because there were two offenders, it was pre-planned, it took place at night and the victim was vulnerable.
He said: "Taxi drivers are vulnerable because of the job they do. They provide a valuable public service.
"It is important the courts protect them.
"This offence occurred at about 1am in quite an isolated location, no doubt chosen for that purpose.
"Your accomplice held a knife to his throat and demanded money.
"This was premeditated, you called the taxi with the intention of robbing the driver."
Ford will serve up to half his sentence with the rest on licence.
source:
http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Dr ... story.html
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