Man threatened taxi driver with scissors then stole his cab

A CUSTOMER threatened a taxi driver with a pair of scissors before stealing his cab, a court has heard.

- JASON EVANS Court and crime reporter

Nicholas Daniel threatened a taxi driver with a pair of scissors outside Jak's shop in Waunarlwydd, Swansea

Nicholas Daniel then became involved in a police pursuit in the stolen car during which he rammed police vehicles, collided with cars, and narrowly avoided knocking down a motorcyclist.

Swansea Crown Court heard that in the weeks leading up to the robbery, Daniel's family had tried to get him help for his mental health which was seen to be deteriorating significantly.

The 35-year-old has now been diagnosed with schizophrenia and severe personality disorder, or schizoaffective disorder, and been made the subject of a hospital order.

Ian Wright, prosecuting, told the court that at just after 6pm on July 29 last year the defendant was picked up from his mother’s home in Waunarlwydd by a Yellow Cabs taxi. The defendant asked to be taken to the Jak’s store on nearby Swansea Road.

The court heard that Daniel popped into the shop and returned to the cab a short time later with a number of items including alcohol, getting into the front passenger seat of the Skoda.

The defendant then produced a pair of scissors from the waistband of his trousers.

The prosecutor said the taxi driver did not initially think the defendant was being serious but Daniel held the weapon close to the cabbie’s stomach and told him “I'm serious. I don’t want to hurt you. You have to get out’.

The cabbie grabbed his mobile and money bag but was told to leave the keys in the ignition.

The victim alighted the taxi and the defendant slid across into the driver's seat then drove off in the direction of Gowerton

The prosecutor said the stolen taxi was spotted by police in Morriston at 7.30pm that evening and was seen to be driven “erratically” and swerving across the road.