Pair behind bars for robbing taxi driver; CHELMSLEY WOOD.

TWO robbers who stole cash from a taxi driver after a heavy drinking session have both been jailed.

Anthony Paul Taylor, 40, of Kingfisher Drive, and Andrew Joseph Proctor, 27, of Moorend Avenue, both Chelmsley Wood, took pounds 55 from Shafiq Khan.

Warwick Crown Court heard one of the pair had drunk 14 pints before Mr Khan picked them up from Birmingham city centre last February.

After he drove them to Chelmsley Wood, Taylor grabbed him from behind and Proctor took a leather pouch containing more than pounds 20 from the door pocket and pounds 35 from Mr Khan's pocket.

Both admitted robbery at Warwick Crown Court and were jailed for nine months.

Judge Charles Harris QC told them: "You are both people with poor records who have been heavy drinkers.

"Cab drivers are vulnerable people. They are alone in their taxis with their passengers, and attacking and robbing them is a very serious business.

"It would be very easy for cab drivers to be very fearful if they did not believe the law was going to protect them and sentence people who attack them appropriately.

"For an offence of this kind involving two offenders and a vulnerable victim, only a custodial sentence is appropriate."

Barristers for both men said that although Taylor had grabbed the driver when he tried to stop Proctor taking the money, the incident had not been pre-planned.

And Glyn Samuel, for Proctor, added: "I accept custody must be imposed on him, but I submit it need not be immediate."