Robber kicked taxi driver and stole his car
BBCA robber who attacked a taxi driver and stole his car has been jailed for four years.
Jonathan Mitchell, 25, was a passenger in the taxi when he started repeatedly kicking the driver, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
He and an accomplice had also burgled a man's home a month earlier, when they threatened to "cut up" the victim's grandson before stealing a £2,500 electric bike.
Mitchell, from Wallsend, admitted burglary, robbery and driving while disqualified and without insurance.
On 18 April, the taxi driver picked Mitchell up in South Shields, prosecutor Nigel Soppitt said.
During the drive, the defendant's demeanour changed and he kept changing their destination, resulting in the driver going up and down streets as Mitchell's directions became vaguer, the court heard.
Fearing what was happening, the driver asked his control room to contact police, at which point Mitchell turned violent, Soppitt said.
With the car in a dead end, Mitchell used both feet to kick the driver at least 10 times forcing the man out of the car, the court heard.
Mitchell then drove off in the vehicle but was arrested a short while later.
Blood found
Mitchell was also sentenced for a burglary committed on 11 March.
He and another man were wearing balaclavas when they knocked on a house door and demanded the occupant let them in or they would "cut you up, especially your grandson", Soppitt said.
The victim and his grandson fled the property as a hammer was used to smash a window.
When they returned with police, they found the child's electric bike had been taken, the court heard.
Blood had been left at the scene which led to police identifying Mitchell, who had 24 offences on his criminal record including multiple thefts, burglary and drink driving.
Recorder Richard Stubbs urged Mitchell to use his time in prison productively so he would not return to crime upon his release.
Mitchell was also banned from driving four years seven months.
