Delta taxi robber 'run over' by police near Anfield on Champions League night broke leg in two placeshttps://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/li ... r-17612763'Some may say he received his just desserts, but clearly this is a very serious injury'
Image: Liverpool EchoA career criminal who robbed a taxi driver at knifepoint was 'run over' by police - breaking his leg in two places.
Paul Pollard - who has a history of robbing vulnerable people including women - struck near Anfield stadium on Bonfire night.
The thug held a lock knife to the neck of Delta Taxis driver Mehrdad Asgari and demanded his takings in Grasmere Street.
But when the 35-year-old fled with just £15, he was hit by a police patrol car and left lying on the pavement "screaming in pain".
It happened just before thousands of fans left Anfield after Liverpool's Champions League win over Genk on November 5.
Carmel Wilde, defending Pollard, said: "He was run over by a police vehicle. He as a result of that suffered a break to the tibia and fibula.
"He was in hospital for some time. He's clearly on crutches, he's had an infection in the leg, there is in effect metal rods located in his leg now.
"That matter is being dealt with by way of police complaint and has been referred to an independent investigation.
"Some may say he received his just desserts, but clearly this is a very serious injury."
Liverpool Crown Court heard Pollard called a Delta taxi to his home in Shelley Street, Bootle to go to Anfield at around 9.10pm.
Philip Hall, prosecuting, said they chatted normally until Pollard opened a beer can and Mr Asgari told him not to drink in the car, to which the passenger replied: "Shut your mouth."
When they arrived in Grasmere Street, Pollard held a knife to the victim's neck, grabbed him with his other hand and demanded cash.
Mr Asgari pressed an emergency button - alerting Delta staff and recording their conversation - as Pollard repeated: "Give me the money."
Delta workers called police but Pollard punched the victim in the head, got out, opened the driver's door and kicked the handle, which broke.
He dragged Mr Asgari out, took his keys and demanded he empty his pockets, then said he would let him go if he gave him "notes".
The victim said he didn't have any and Pollard punched the driver in the face and threatened to stab him, before chasing him around the car.
Mr Asgari, who suffered a lump to his right ear, was rescued by another Delta driver who arrived in his car, and Pollard fled.
Mr Hall said: "As he ran off he collided with a police vehicle, I understand causing a serious break to his leg and he was taken to hospital."
The knife was recovered from the pavement, along with £6 dropped by Pollard.
The victim said Pollard took about £15 and he missed out on a night's takings.
Mr Hall said: "He does say he was extremely shaken up by the incident. He feared for his life."
Pollard denied any wrongdoing and told police he scuffled with Mr Asgari because he only had £6 and the fare was £9.
Mr Hall said: "He said it was Bommie night and that he had been using the knife to nick Sellotape off the wicks of fireworks.
"He said 'he's stitching me up because I only had £6'."
Pollard, who admitted robbery, possessing an offensive weapon and criminal damage, has 12 past convictions for 28 offences.
The dad-of-four was jailed for seven and a half years in late 2009 for two robberies and a burglary.
He was part of a gang armed with a hammer who raided a man's home while he slept, assaulted him and stole his TV.
That same night they also broke into a woman's home, assaulted her, took her TV, then fought with a neighbour.
The burglary involved Pollard and other men breaking into a woman's home - all armed with knives - as she slept.
Mr Hall said: "The defendant she says held a 30cm kitchen knife to her face and threatened to cut and stab her."
Pollard was released from prison in time to carry out another terrifying burglary in Haydock in November 2011.
He and another man burst into a couple's bedroom in the early hours, demanded car keys and stole a vehicle.
Pollard, then 27, and his accomplice were arrested in a car stolen during a separate burglary in Liverpool.
He was jailed for six years in May 2012, after admitting burglary and aggravated vehicle taking.
Pollard last received a conditional discharge in August 2018 for possessing cocaine.
Ms Wilde said he acknowledged "the stress and fear" of the victim, who was "simply doing his job".
She added: "He wishes him a speedy recovery from what must have been a traumatic incident."
Ms Wilde said drunken Pollard had intended to go to his sister's home in Anfield for a firework display.
The lawyer said: "Given he was estranged from the mother of his four children, there was a prospect of going to see his children, albeit he wasn't in a fit state to do so."
She said Pollard, who wasn't taking his medication for anxiety and depression, spilt his beer and "simply lost it" during the row.
Ms Wilde said he was a cocaine addict for 15 years, but had been clean for nine months, thanks to the help of a new partner.
She argued he wasn't dangerous, adding: "On his release whether he will be as nimble as he once was is another question."
Recorder Alexandra Simmonds said Pollard's victim was vulnerable and he had "five extremely serious offences" in his past.
She said: "Your previous convictions show your propensity to use weapons to either threaten or attack vulnerable people."
The judge said Pollard was dangerous and jailed him for six years, with an extended four years on licence.
This means he will serve at least two thirds - four years - behind bars, before he is eligible for parole.
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