JUST DESSERTS
DARWEN COCAINE ADDICT WHO ROBBED CABBIE AT KNIFEPOINT IS JAILED FOR FOUR YEARS
A cocaine addict who robbed and threatened a taxi driver at knifepoint has been jailed. According to the Lancashire Telegraph, Reece Waring, 22, was staying at the Premier Inn in Darwen on the night of September 5 last year. The following day he made a phone call for a taxi to come and pick him up. Preston Crown Court heard how Waring, who was 21 at the time, got into the taxi and within five minutes had asked the driver to stop, and pulled a knife from his pocket. Prosecuting, Nicholas Flanagan said: “He threatened the driver and demand- ed all of his cash. Threats were made to stab the taxi driver, and he tried to unfasten his belt, with the defendant demanding more money.
“The driver man- aged to get out of the car but left his money bag inside with £70 in it which the defendant took and and ran away. “He was arrested and interviewed on September 10, and found with a multi-tool on him.” In a victim impact statement the taxi driver said the incident had made him feel scared as he thought he was going to be seriously injured. Waring, from Darwen, has previous convictions for driving while disquali- fied and failing to comply with community orders, one of which was still active when these offences were
committed. Defending Waring, James Heyworth said his client was full of genuine remorse and has been addicted to crack cocaine since he was 16 which hasn’t helped his behaviour.” Waring pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of a bladed article and was jailed for four years. Recorder Sophie Cartwright said: “This was an offence you planned as you had armed yourself with a knife and threat- ened to stab the taxi driver, who describes being terrified and feared he was going to be seriously injured.” DC James Wilde, of Lancashire Police, said: “This was a pre-meditated and cowardly offence committed against a completely innocent victim who was just trying to make an honest living.”
NEWPORT TEENAGER LOCKED UP FOR 34 MONTHS FOR TERRIFYING TAXI ROBBERY
A teenager who dragged a PHV driver from his cab and threatened him with a bottle during a terrifying robbery has been locked up. The South Wales Argus reports that Lucien Marshall, 19, targeted Ijaz Ali in Newport after he and his accomplice Joshua Saunders, 22, were his passengers. Christopher Evans, prosecuting, said the duo were at a house party in breach of Covid regulations when they booked the cab on Sunday, April 11, 2021. Police were called to break up the gathering and this led to the pair later being identified for their offences against Mr Ali when officers remem- bered the distinctive coats they wore. Mr Evans told Cardiff Crown Court how the Capitol Taxis driver picked up the defendants around 6.30am before they told him to stop during their journey. “Mr Saunders, who was sitting behind Mr Ali, got out of the vehicle and
MARCH 2022
grabbed his money bag and ran,” the prosecutor said. “Mr Marshall then pulled the taxi driv- er from the car and Mr Ali fell on the pavement. He des- cribes being in pain. “Mr Marshall then raised a beer bottle as if to attack him.” The court was told Marshall did not hit him with the weapon and he, Saunders and a third unknown man escaped. The defendants were linked to the crime after leaving behind their finger- prints and police were also able to identify them from CCTV footage. Mr Ali, in his victim impact statement, said: “I’m scared and I don’t work during the night. I get frightened by passengers.”
His house and car keys were taken dur-
ing the incident and it cost him more than £300 to change his locks. Marshall, of Newport, pleaded guilty to robbery and Saunders, also from Newport, admitted theft. Marshall also appeared for sentence after admitting aggravated vehicle taking, failing to provide a specimen, driving without a licence and driving without insurance in a separate incident. The judge, Recorder Paul Hopkins QC, sent Marshall to a young offender institution for two years and 10 months and banned him from driving for 35 months. He must pay a £194 victim surcharge. Saunders was sentenced to a two-year community order. He was ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work and has to complete a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement. He will have to pay £150 costs and a £95 surcharge.
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