Two jailed for knifepoint robbery of Gloucester taxi driver

A man and a woman have been jailed for a total of eight and half years for the knifepoint robbery of a taxi driver in Gloucester.

Justin Francis, 39 and Tiffany Davis, 36, targeted their victim as he pulled into Valley Gardens in the Quedgeley area of the city on Wednesday 17 September last year.

The taxi’s CCTV captured Francis waving the knife around aggressively from the back seat, threatening the driver and holding it to his throat.

Justin Francis and Tiffany Davis

Fearing for his safety, the taxi driver handed over £70 cash and fled the vehicle before returning when he’d seen Francis enter a nearby block of flats.

Davis left the vehicle shortly afterwards and the driver drove to Police Headquarters to report what had happened.

Officers subsequently located Francis and Davis at an address in Gloucester and arrested them both.

Francis, of Chequers Road, Gloucester and Davis, of no fixed address, both admitted a charge of robbery contrary to section 8 (1) of theft act at Bristol Crown Court last month. Francis also pleaded guilty to possessing a bladed article in a public place.

Today (Tuesday 21 April) Francis was jailed for four and half years while Davis was sentenced to four years. Both were also issued with restraining orders banning them from contacting the victim for five years.

Detective Sergeant Jon Stokes said: “The victim in this case was simply carrying out his job when he was confronted by Francis who threatened him and held a knife to his throat.

“Davis was in on the plan and can be seen deliberately pulling down the taxi’s CCTV.

“It’s clear neither cared about the impact their actions had on their victim and the public are much safer now both are behind bars.”