Taxi driver attacker ‘a risk to the public’

Andrew Grimes

A THUG who helped to attack and rob a taxi driver and steal his car must be classed as a danger to the public, a judge said yesterday.

Andrew Grimes (26) grabbed the victim in a headlock from the rear seat of the car, strangling him into unconsciousness.

The terrified driver was then punched repeatedly in the head and face by a second passenger in the front seat. Both attackers demanded cash and his phone, then his car.

Manchester Crown Court was told the pair dragged him out of the car, threatened to kill him if called police and drove off. The £15,000 car was later found on fire.

Father-of-two Grimes, of Poplar Avenue, Oldham had been jailed for 32 months in 2012 after an almost identical robbery, and had an ealier conviction for robbery in 2009.

Sentencing him, Judge Jeffrey Lewis said: “This was a sustained attack on a vulnerable driver just doing his job. You present a serious risk to members of the public.”

Grimes, who pleaded guilty to robbery and to racially abusing a police officer, was jailed for four years and a further three and a half years.

The attackers called the taxi to the Black Horse pub in Ripponden Road, Oldham. The attack began when the driver pulled up in Higher Fold Road.

The burning vehicle was later located by GPS. A tracker on the driver’s phone led police to Grimes, who had it in his pocket. Grimes was aggressive when arrested.

Keith Harrison, defending, said his client had turned to drink and drugs after family difficulties.