Jeremy Higgins, 31, of no fixed abode, deceived the taxi driver by asking for help with his belongings before jumping into the driver’s seat and fleeing the scene.
Officers located the stolen vehicle on Princess Margaret Way, Aberavon, where they discovered Higgins attempting to remove the dashcam and card machine after crashing the taxi, causing substantial damage.
Upon arrest, police found two knives in Higgins’ possession, along with a mobile phone linked to illegal drug supply.
Detective Sergeant Grant Phillips said:
“Jeremy Higgins clearly planned this robbery as he had two knives in his possession. This must have been an incredibly scary experience for the taxi driver.
Not only did he commit robbery and then crash the taxi, but he was also carrying two dangerous weapons whilst doing so. Therefore, it is only right that he has been sent to prison.”
With one-third discounts for his guilty pleas Higgins was sentenced to 12 months in prison comprising four months for aggravated vehicle taking and eight months for possession of the knives to run consecutively.
He will serve up to half the 12 months in prison before being released on license to serve the remainder in the community.
The defendant was disqualified from driving for 12 months with the ban extended by an extra six months to allow for the time he will be behind bars.
[Lead image: South Wales Police]
