Taxi driver corkscrew attackers jailed

Three robbers who tried to steal a taxi driver's car using a knife and corkscrew have been jailed.

The victim was waiting for a fare outside Palmserville Metro station in Forest Hall, North Tyneside, when his car was approached by David Ure, Wayne Bellerby and Shannon Tait, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Ure stabbed the driver's hand with a corkscrew and Bellerby held a knife against his neck before the man was able to escape.

Bellerby, who was found guilty of robbery by jurors, was jailed for seven years. Ure and Tait, who both admitted it, were jailed for four and a half and five years respectively.

Prosecutor Annelise Haugstad said the taxi driver was in his car at about 21:00 BST on 23 April last year when the three robbers approached.

One of the men offered to give him £20 to drive them into Forest Hall, but quickly became aggressive when the driver said he couldn't as he was waiting for a pre-booked passenger.

Bellerby, 42, thrust a knife through the open window against the man's neck and Ure, 25, tried to grab the keys from the ignition, in the process stabbing the driver in the hand with a corkscrew, Ms Haugstad said.

Both men also threatened to stab the man if he did not give them his keys, she said.

The driver was able to flee from the car, after which the three robbers got inside and sat there for five minutes or so before running away.

They took the driver's phone, dashcam, wallet and card payment device, the court heard.

Ure and Tait, 31, were arrested on the station platform a short while later, but Bellerby made his way to a Innisfree Social Club in Longbenton where he became embroiled in further violence.

He repeatedly punched a man until the victim fell unconscious, then punched and threatened to stab a man who tried to stop the attack, Ms Haugstad said.

Mother-of-five Tait, of Dunstanburgh Road in Byker, also admitted charges of child neglect between 2017 and 2021, with Ms Haugstad saying her home was deemed "unfit for human habitation".

Judge Tim Gittins said the attack on the driver must have been "utterly terrifying" and the three "plundered" his car.

The judge said the driver was "involved in a public service" when he was chanced upon the the robbers.

Ure, of Shields Road in Byker, also admitted possessing of a bladed article, namely the corkscrew.

Bellerby, of no fixed abode, had also denied but was found guilty of possession of bladed article, assault causing actual bodily harm, common assault and making threats with a knife.

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