Derby police apprehend a taxi hijacker outside a casino. (Images/Video: Derbyshire Police / SWNS)
A man who hijacked a taxi at knifepoint, leading police on a 100 mph chase through the streets of Derby, UK, before hiding out in a casino destination, has been jailed.
26-year-old Leonard David hijacked the taxi while in possession of a bladed instrument. He assaulted the cab driver before setting off through the streets of Derby at 100 mph, closely followed by police. Video footage showed the high-speed chase unfolding.
Criminal Demanded Cash and Assaulted Taxi Driver
David appeared at Derby Crown Court on Jan 16. The court heard that David had arranged to be collected from Hartington Street in the early hours of Oct 28, 2024.
The taxi duly arrived with the driver unsuspecting that he would be involved in a violent assault and a high-speed police chase. The court heard that as soon as David entered the taxi, he became argumentative and aggressive.
David then demanded money from the driver of the taxi before assaulting him by punching him in the face a number of times. Despite the taxi driver giving David £10, the assault continued, and David told the driver, "Do as I say, or I will kill you."
After forcing the driver out of the taxi David drove off closely followed by the police who had been responding to reports of the assault.
David then set off on his dangerous high-speed escape, driving the vehicle through pedestrianised areas and ignoring red lights. After pursuing David at speeds of 90 to 100mph police decided to call off the pursuit for public safety reasons.
Criminal Fled on Foot but Captured by Nimble Police
The car was found abandoned and police were informed that David had been seen leaving a casino in nearby Exchange Street. This time David tried to flee at high speed on foot, but he was no match for police, who captured the pursuit on bodycam.
David was found in possession of the keys to the taxi and Class B drugs. Following a search of the vehicle, police found a Stanley knife case and blade.
The 28-year-old from Sinfin in Derby faced charges of robbery, dangerous driving and possession of a knife. He pleaded guilty to the offences and received a six-year prison sentence, along with a six-year driving ban at Derby Crown Court.
Jailed for Six Years by Court
Following the trial, PC Natalie Morton of Derbyshire Police said, "This incident has understandably had a long-lasting impact on the taxi driver, both mentally and financially.
"He was subjected to horrendous violence and threats all while simply doing his job and was then left unable to work for days after this incident while the car was repaired after David damaged it.
"The level of violence and aggression David displayed was shocking and the fact he twice tried to evade capture is a clear sign that he did not want to face the consequences of his actions. I am pleased that he has now been brought to justice and is behind bars for these offences."
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News WriterMost of my career was spent in teaching including at one of the UK’s top private schools. I left London in 2000 and set up home in Wales raising four beautiful children. I enrolled at University where I studied Photography and film and gained a Degree and subsequently a Masters Degree. In 2014 I helped launch a new local newspaper and managed to get front and back page as well as 6 filler pages on a weekly basis. I saw that journalism was changing and was a pioneer of hyperlocal news in Wales. In 2017 I started one of the first 24/7 free independent news sites for Wales. Having taken that to a successful business model I was keen for a new challenge. Joining the company is exciting for me especially as it is a new role in Europe. I am keen to establish myself and help others to do the same.
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