Two men who robbed a Newark taxi driver at night and drove off in his vehicle have been sent to prison for three years.
Billy Dawn, 21, of Cranmer Road, Newark, and Michael Parr, 20, of Fairfax Avenue, Newark, pleaded guilty to robbery when they appeared before Nottingham Crown Court yesterday.
Prosecutor Mr Stephen Kemp said that Dawn had jumped into the driver's seat of the taxi after Parr had punched the taxi driver in the face.
Police caught up with the taxi on the A46 heading towards Lincoln. Dawn was searched and had £67 of the takings on him including £53 in £1 coins which had been kept under the driver's seat.
Mr Kemp said the men had got into the back of the taxi at a rank in the centre of Newark just before 12.30 am on May 18 and asked to be take to Bowbridge, Lane.
They told the driver to drop them in a lay-by near a scrap yard on a road with no street lights. The fare was £9 and the men argued over who was to pay.
The driver got out and was standing by his door when Parr punched him. Dawn got in and began to drive off. Parr punched the driver again in the face. He fell to the ground but he was able to call the police on his mobile phone as the two men drove off.
The court was told that both had previous convictions for dishonesty and both had served short custodial sentences.
Mr Christopher Jayes for Parr said the incident was unplanned and mainly caused by his alcohol consumption that evening. He said Parr was expecting his first child later this year.
Mr Alistair Munt, for Dawn, said his client had used no force and expressed genuine remorse.
Passing sentence Judge Andrew Hamilton told the men: "It's time you both grew up. This was absolutely disgraceful.
"It was an attack on a vulnerable victim at night. It was a terrifying experience for him. I hope this sentence will knock some sense into your heads.
The judge said he did not know how they drank such massive amounts when they were on benefits.
