Taxi hijack robbery gang jailed

Taxi hijack robbery gang jailed

Mar 12 2008 by David Himelfield, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A GANG, who hijacked a taxi shortly after their car was seized by police, was jailed yesterday.

Luke Jordan, 20, from Burfitts Road, Quarmby, was jailed for three years and Ashley Mintram, 22, from Gleadless Vale, Sheffield, was imprisoned for two years after admitting robbery.

Lynden Richards, 20, of Sheffield, received a four month term after admitting riding in the stolen Vauxhall estate car.

Bradford Crown Court heard Arshad Ali, a cabbie for Aspley Cars, was dragged screaming from his vehicle on December 18 2006.

The gang ordered a taxi 50 minutes after Mintram’s Escort was confiscated for driving without insurance on Dog Kennel Bank.

The court heard the gang directed Mr Ali, 57, to a secluded cul-de-sac in Marsh before Jordan demand he hand over his takings.

Mr Ali’s car was founded in Sheffield the next day bearing false number plates.

Passing sentence Judge James Spencer QC said: “You took part in quite a disgraceful robbery.

“You directed the driver to a secluded cul-de-sac where you robbed him and terrorised him and took the vehicle.

“Taxi drivers are working most of the night and they are there for public service and they have to be protected from ruthless people like you.”