Taxi Driver Online

Taxi driver told he'd be 'put in grave' during terrifying knife-point robbery

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(L-R) James Abbotts and Luke Richardson

A taxi driver was forced to take a month off work after a terrifying knife-point robbery in his cab. Luke Richardson, 29, and James Abbotts, 32, carried out the offence as they travelled in the taxi hunting for a bag they had misplaced.

Items inside included drugs, a mobile phone and cash, a court heard. The pair became aggressive and Richardson held a knife as he told the victim to hand over money.

The taxi driver gave them £180 from his centre console on June 20 last year. Now Richardson, of Everest Road, Kidsgrove, has been jailed for three-and-a-half years and Abbotts was locked up for three years, StokeonTrentLive reports.

Prosecutor Annabel Hale said the victim collected both defendants from an address in Middleport at 6.05am that morning. The driver remembered them from previous occasions and had not had any problems with them.

"Both were talking to him about a bag they had left in another taxi," Miss Hale said. "Richardson said it contained drugs, phones and money. They were trying to contact Magnum Taxis to get it back.

"Richardson requested they go for cash and directed the driver to a petrol station. He found himself on High Lane, Burslem, and decided to stop at the Co-op. He drove on to the car park.

"Richardson got out and went to the doors of the Co-op. They were shut. He did not get to the cashpoint and returned to the vehicle."

Abbotts had contacted Magnum and they arranged to meet another taxi, the court heard. They both got out of the taxi when the other cab arrived but quickly returned.

Miss Hale said: "Richardson was sat behind the taxi driver. Abbotts was in the rear passenger seat. They did not have the bag. Richardson said, 'Just drive'. Both seemed aggressive and more agitated.

"They were again on the phone to Magnum Taxis. They said, 'We have got one of yours here. We are going to put him in his grave'. The driver tried to explain he did not work for Magnum.

"Richardson said, 'We are taking all your money and your car. I want at least £200'. The driver felt a tap on his shoulder and then his neck. He noticed Richardson holding a knife. He was too scared to turn around.

"He stopped his taxi on Watlands View, Porthill. There was £180 in the centre console. Abbotts grabbed the money out of his hand. Abbotts was smirking and laughed at him. The defendants ran off down Heaton Terrace."

The taxi driver said he no longer likes his job in a victim impact statement read to the court. He said £280 was stolen - £180 for the service of the car and taxi fare money - and he was left feeling angry and emotional.

Both men pleaded guilty to robbery. Abbotts entered his plea on the basis he was not aware Richardson was in possession of a knife.

Simon Rippon, mitigating for Richardson, said his client had a crack cocaine addiction and the drugs in the missing bag were not to supply others. He added that Richardson had no previous convictions for robbery.

Catherine O'Reilly, mitigating for Abbotts, of no fixed address, said: "He knew he would be arrested and sent back to prison. He clearly did not think through the consequences of his actions." She added that he was remorseful.

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