In court
Drunk taxi robber escapes jail term

A YOUTH who robbed a taxi driver after he and a friend had got through a staggering £400 worth of drink has escaped being jailed.

James Becker, 19, of Yates Avenue, Newbold-on Avon, pleaded guilty at Warwick Crown Court to robbing Mohammed Uddin of a quantity of cash.

Becker was sentenced to 12 months detention suspended for two years, with a 7pm to 7am electronically tagged curfew on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights for four months.

He was also given 18 months supervision and ordered to take part in a ‘Calm’ programme and to pay £31 compensation to Mr Uddin and £300 costs.

Prosecutor Lal Amarasinghe said Mr Uddin, a driver with AJ Cars, was working from the taxi rank at the clock in Rugby town centre on October 18 last year.

When he reached front of the rank he picked up two young men who asked to be taken to Newbold, and when they arrived in Norman Road the other passenger paid the £4.50 fare.

But Becker then got back into the rear of Mr Uddin’s Peugeot people-carrier and demanded the money back, telling him: “We don’t pay no taxi.”

As the driver turned in his seat Becker grabbed the fire extinguisher in the vehicle and held it behind Mr Uddin’s head, but the driver pulled it from him.

Becker then jumped out, pulled open the driver’s door and grabbed a coin holder containing £10 to £15 while demanding the driver’s money bag and pushing him back in his seat.

Mr Amarasinghe pointed out Becker's friend played no part and was surprised at what was taking place.

The two young men then ran off, but Becker made a silent call to the police, as a result of which officers went to his home shortly afterwards.

And answering the door, he told them: “It’s me you want. I robbed the taxi.”

But he was then abusive and made threats towards the officers as he was arrested.

When he was interviewed Becker said he was very drunk at the time because he and his friend had been drinking all day and had got through some £400 worth of alcohol between them.

Becker, who had two previous convictions for violence, claimed his friend had given the driver £10 and that he had been demanding the change.

Andrew Tucker, defending, said Becker had demonstrated by his call to the police immediately afterwards and by his admission, that he was ‘a man of some conscience.’

Recorder Simon Ward told Becker: “Robbery of a taxi driver is an extremely serious offence, and when I looked at the papers in your case it seemed to me that I had to send you straight to prison for about two years.

“But I’ve been persuaded that I don’t have to do that. I hope that is the right decision.”