A man who joined in a robbery on a taxi driver in Leeds has been jailed for 42 months.
Arthur Cooper, 29, was one of two passengers who got into a vehicle driven by Kevin Ward, on October 16.
Mr Ward was then directed to Atha Street in Beeston but when he arrived and requested the fare of £9, the other passenger grabbed him.
His car keys were taken and Cooper joined in the struggle punching the driver in the face and leaning over to take his cash bag containing around £35 before the robbers ran off.
David Mackay prosecuting told Leeds Crown Court yesterday (Nov 28) police traced the call requesting the taxi to a mobile phone belonging to a third man who was then spoken to.
He revealed Cooper’s accomplice had been staying with him at the time and had borrowed the phone and that man was then arrested.
Mr Mackay said he had already been sentenced to 40 months for the robbery but Cooper was not arrested until some days later.
Cooper of Manor Farm Drive, Middleton, Leeds admitted robbery. James Littlehales representing him said the offence was not pre-planned but he had joined in when he saw what was happening.
Judge Geoffrey Marson QC told Cooper: “This was a deliberate targeting of a vulnerable taxi driver at night and there were two of you. Courts have to do what they can to protect taxi drivers.”