Taxi boss’ warning to robbersA TAXI boss has said prison sentences handed to a criminal gang who tried to rob a driver should act as a deterrent to others.
Nick Astley, director of Metro cars, spoke out after three yobs were jailed for attacking one of the firm’s drivers.
They led him to a secluded road before trying to rob him and attacking him, leaving him with several loose teeth.
His car was damaged after the thugs kicked it and threw a wheelie bin at it during the incident in Southfield Street, off Manchester Road, on May 10, at about 3.30pm.
Ryan Phillips, aged 19, of Woodvale Avenue in Great Lever, was jailed for two years and five months after admitting the attempted robbery and breaching a suspended jail term for battery and using violence to gain entry to a building.
A 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced to an 18- month detention and training order and a second 16- year-old received a two-year detention and training order.
Mr Astley said: “The sentences given send out a clear message that attacking taxi drivers will not be tolerated.
The judge has highlighted there will be repercussions when people mess about.
“I sincerely hope the teenagers will stop offending because it’s upsetting and very unpleasant. If we can get a prosecution for any crime against taxi drivers we will fight for it.”
The taxi boss believes drivers are targeted because they work alone. But he said emergencies buttons in the cars send alarms to other drivers, which can result in drivers from across Bolton rushing to the scene to help.
Mr Astley said: “People do have the misconception the driver is on his own, but we can get to drivers very quickly. The driver is still taxi driving but it would scare me, especially when those responsible were so young.”
He added: “People who do this need to see this clear warning that they will be prosecuted if caught and prison can happen.”
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/100 ... o_robbers/
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