A taxi driver in Derby was on the receiving end of a harrowing ordeal after he was held up, threatened and saw his taxi stolen.
Police received a report at 12:20 am on Monday, October 28, stating that a taxi driver had arrived for a pickup on Hartington Street. The driver was allegedly threatened by a passenger who later forced him to leave his vehicle and drove off.
A Derby man has now been charged with robbery and kidnap following that incident. Leonard David, 26, of Sinfin Lane, was arrested just after 1:40 am on October 28.
Read more: Cops find man with his victim in breach of bail conditions
The taxi was found abandoned shortly after, at around 2:00 am, on Thorntree Lane. In addition to charges of robbery and kidnap, David faces the following charges.
- assault.
- dangerous driving.
- possession of Class B illegal substances (cannabis and amphetamine).
- driving without insurance.
- driving without a license.
- possession of an offensive weapon.
He was remanded into police custody early on October 29 and is scheduled to appear at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court today at 2:15 pm.
What Derby Police said about the ‘stolen taxi’
A spokesperson for Derbyshire Police said: “The force received a report at 12.20 am on Monday 28 October stating that a taxi driver had gone to make a pickup in Hartington Street and been threatened by a passenger who, it is alleged, later made the victim leave the vehicle and drove off.
“Leonard David was arrested just after 1.40 am on 28 October and was charged and remanded into police custody early this morning (29 October).
“The vehicle was found abandoned in Thorntree Lane just before 2 am on Monday.
“The 26-year-old, of Sinfin Lane, Derby is due to appear at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court at 2.15 pm today.”
