Teens robbed taxi driver at gunpoint in 'terrifying' attack

TWO teenagers who threatened a taxi driver with an air gun before robbing him of his takings have been locked up.

Kabir Abubakar and Joshua Allen directed the driver down a dead-end before Abubakar took out the gun, held it inches from the victim and said: 'Give me your money'.

Allen also demanded cash, Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard.

Abubakar searched for cash and found two bags, one containing £100 with between £40 and £50 in the other. He took the bags and the pair fled.

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The terrified driver shouted for help and a teenage girl in the street called the police.

Now both Allen and Abubakar have been sentenced to 30 months detention in a young offenders' institution after they pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Prosecutor Fiona Cortese told the court how the two 18-year-olds had got in the taxi in Hassell Street, Newcastle, at 7.30pm on December 15.

"They asked to be taken to Silverdale. The driver asked for a specific address and they said they would tell him when they got there," Miss Cortese said.

"When they reached Buxton Avenue they directed him to Woodhall Place which is a dead-end and asked him to travel to the top of the street.

"He stopped short and told them it was £5.40. Both left the taxi and then Abubakar produced the gun."

Miss Cortese said the gun was held two to three inches from the driver's body.

She added: "The 16-year-old girl heard the two defendants shout, 'Give me your money'.

"She saw them rifle through the driver's door pocket and take something from it."

A police search failed to find the offenders, but they received a tip-off and they were found at an address in Bath Road, Silverdale.

An empty money bag was found in a bedroom with an air pistol and gas canister.

Abubakar, of Bath Road, Silverdale, and Allen, of Holte Road, Greet, Birmingham, were both sentenced yesterday.

Paul Cliff, representing Abubakar, said the teenagers had been shooting cans in a field on the outskirts of Newcastle.

"A decision to rob the driver was not made until they got in the taxi," Mr Cliff said.

The solicior said Abubakar has struggled with the breakdown of his parents' separation.

"It has had a detrimental impact on his behaviour, resulting in delinquency" he said.

Jasvir Mann, mitigating for Allen, conceded there was some planning and premeditation.

Judge Granville Styler told the pair: "No actual violence was used but it is a serious matter because you targeted a vulnerable victim and you threatened him with an imitation firearm, which was extremely frightening."

Judge Styler added: "It seems to be in both cases that you have a future before you, if you are prepared to use it."