|
Birmingham Evening Mail
August 8, 2006, Tuesday
HEADLINE: Mercy on railway station knifeman;
Solihull News OLTON: You need help, judge tells man who terrified taxi driver
BYLINE: Paul Beard
A MAN who brandished a knife when a Solihull taxi driver tried to stop him taking his car needs "help and guidance", a judge ruled.
Robert Simon Taylor, 33, denied attempting to rob taxi driver Naser Uldan of his Mercedes at Olton rail station.
But he admitted possessing an offensive weapon and possessing a small amount of herbal cannabis, and the pleas were accepted after Gareth Walters, prosecuting, pointed out that Taylor was in a "very poor mental state" at the time. When interviewed, Taylor told police that he had intended to take the car, but not to keep it. Mr Walters told Warwick Crown Court that Mr Uldan got out of the taxi, leaving the engine running, and then saw Taylor get into the driver's seat and try to drive off.
Mr Uldan jumped into the passenger seat and there was an altercation as he tried to get Taylor out of the car. Taylor brandished a knife and got out of the vehicle, but was arrested after the police found him hiding in bushes nearby. Mr Walters added that the officers found a small penknife and a small amount of cannabis.
After reading a psychiatric report and a presentence report, Judge Richard Cole gave Taylor a two-year community order, with a condition that he sees a doctor if his probation officer considers it necessary. "You had a knife and you must have terrified the man whose car it was. He was not to know what you were going to do with the knife. "It came very close to the category of attempted robbery, but clearly there are times when you become ill and need help and guidance."
The judge added: "It may be because you have been off drugs while on remand in custody, but you are much better now than you were at the time of this offence."
.............................................
|
Login
Register
FAQ
