Passenger threatened taxi driver with knife and tried to force him into the boot

HE HELD HIM FOR 40 MINUTES AGAINST HIS WILL IN THE TERRIFYING ORDEAL

- By MARK NAYLOR

A MENACING taxi passenger suddenly turned nasty, threatened the terrified driver with a knife and demanded cash before ordering the man to get into the boot of his car during a nightmare ordeal in the early hours of the morning.

The shocked taxi driver bravely refused to get into the boot and managed to flee to safety before summoning the help of another taxi driver.

The robbery had a “devastating” impact on the victim and “shattered” his confidence in the job that he loved, Hull Crown Court heard. Dale Allison, 43, of Mayland Avenue, Hull, admitted offences of robbery and causing criminal damage on March 25. He pleaded guilty to the robbery on the day of a scheduled trial.

Nick Murphy, prosecuting, said that Allison booked a taxi in the early hours of the morning to take him to First Lane, Hessle, and the journey began at 12.20am. Allison was drinking a bottle of alcohol.

When they reached the Boothferry estate, the taxi driver asked for the £8.20 fare but Allison pulled out a kitchen knife and pointed it towards the man’s chest. He told the driver: “Just give me everything you have.”

The driver gave him all his cash, including from a coin holder and some notes. Allison told him, while holding the knife, to go the nearby Asda store car park.