Threatened with scissors in Waunarlwydd
Swansea Crown Court heard that Nicholas Daniel, 34, of Felindre, was picked up by a Yellow Cabs driver in Waunarlwydd on 29 July 2024. After stopping at a shop on Old Swansea Road, Daniel returned to the vehicle with alcohol, produced scissors from his waistband, and held them close to the driver’s stomach.
“I’m serious. I don’t want to hurt you. You have to get out,” he told the cabbie.
The driver grabbed his phone and money bag but was forced to leave the keys. Daniel slid into the driver’s seat and drove off.
High‑speed chase through Swansea streets
The stolen Skoda Octavia was spotted in Morriston around 7.30pm. Officers described Daniel’s driving as “erratic” — swerving across the road, hitting speeds of 60mph, and narrowly missing other vehicles and a motorcyclist.
Police cars were rammed as they tried to box him in. A stinger device was deployed, but Daniel swerved, hit a traffic island, and crashed into parked and oncoming cars. The taxi was written off, as was a vehicle belonging to a community mental health nurse.
When arrested, Daniel told officers he had planned to drive to Worm’s Head on Gower and end his life by going over the cliffs.
Family’s pleas for help before robbery
The court heard Daniel’s family had tried to get him help in the weeks before the robbery as his mental health deteriorated. Psychiatric reports diagnosed him with schizophrenia and severe personality disorder (schizoaffective disorder).
Judge Catherine Richards said Daniel had been suffering from acute psychosis at the time, including persecutory and command hallucinations.
She told the court that without his mental health condition, Daniel would have faced a “significant” prison sentence.
CPS: ‘Taxi drivers should not face threats of violence’
Abul Hussain, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS Cymru‑Wales, said:
“Nicholas Daniel brazenly robbed a taxi driver of his vehicle in broad daylight, then drove dangerously and crashed as he was trying to flee. His actions were reckless and put other people at risk.
Taxi drivers provide a valuable public service and should not have to face threats of violence from customers.”
Hospital order and driving ban
On 1 October 2025, Daniel was made subject to a hospital order under section 37 of the Mental Health Act with a section 41 restriction order without limit of time. He was also disqualified from driving for two years and ordered to take an extended test.
Daniel had pleaded guilty to robbery, dangerous driving, failing to provide a specimen, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, and driving without insurance.
The court also heard he had previous convictions, including two robberies in Waunarlwydd shops in 2009 and 2012.
