Three jailed for attack on Boro Taxis cabbie
THREE men who planned and launched a bone-breaking attack and robbery of a taxi driver have been jailed for a total of 12 years.
Boro Taxis cabbie Nazar Mahfooz was grabbed round the throat and beaten after he took three passengers from Stockton High Street to Old Road, Billingham.
His three drunken assailants Shane Thomas and cousins Wayne and Michael Parker were jailed for four years each at Teesside Crown Court.
After the 38-year-old driver stopped, Wayne Parker grabbed him around the neck from behind. Front seat passenger Thomas punched him.
Michael Parker then got out of the back seat, ran to the restrained driver and started going through his pockets.
He took £70 from the motorist, and £20 from the driver’s door pocket, prosecutor Sarah Mallett said yesterday.
Mr Mahfooz struggled free and got out of the car. Wayne Parker then punched him to the head and he fell to the floor.
All three men fled down an alleyway, at which they had asked the taxi driver to stop.
After the robbery at about 10.30pm on November 25 last year, Mr Mahfooz underwent surgery for facial fracturing.
Thomas, 28, of Edwards Street, Stockton; Michael Parker, 23, of Cumbernauld Road, Thornaby; and Wayne Parker, 33, of Howard Walk, Billingham, all admitted robbery.
All had previous convictions for assault – but nothing as serious as the robbery.
Duncan McReddie, representing Michael Parker, said he got involved spontaneously and alcohol rendered him incapable of planning anything.
He said Michael was of “limited intelligence”, his defence mechanism a show of “studied indifference”, his previous assaults were old and he was last in custody as a juvenile.
Robin Turton, defending Wayne Parker, said he felt remorse for the harm and distress he caused.
He said the dad was skilled but was hampered by chronic depression and turned to drink after his partner left him.
Peter Wishlade, for Thomas, said he had an unhappy childhood, was “a young man with substantial problems” but he’d use his time inside well.
The judge, Recorder Martin Bethel QC said he would not send the men away indefinitely as dangerous offenders, but jailed each for four years.
He said it was a serious night-time robbery on a vulnerable victim.
He added: “The taxi driver sustained unpleasant injuries including a fracture to his face, and one wonders whether he will be able to drive taxis late at night again.
“There was a degree of pre-planning, although I don’t suggest it was particularly sophisticated.”
source:
http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/
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