Man and pregnant thief attack taxi driver after disagreement on whether to pay with £20 note or two

A taxi driver was robbed by a man and pregnant woman over a row involving a £20 fare.

Michael Ward and Marie Pritchard, both aged 31 and on bail for other offences, targeted the taxi driver in Coseley who took back their £20 fare before then stealing the keys and mobile of the hapless driver.

Judge Amjad Nawaz said during sentencing at Wolverhampton Crown Court: “Taxi drivers are vulnerable in a sense because they don’t know who is going to get in their car. They are easy prey.”

The court heard how the pair were picked up in Coseley’s and headed off to Dudley, before a row began as to whether the fare should be paid using a £20 note or two £10 notes in the early hours of the morning.

Ward proceeded to get out of the taxi and snatched the cash back off the cabbie by opening the drivers door.

The driver was then struck on the head by Ward who stole the fare and the drivers phone. Whilst Ward fled, the pregnant Pritchard who has since given birth to her and Ward’s son while in custody, took the keys from the ignition of the taxi and followed her accomplice.

Also facing further charges, Ms Samantha Forsythe, who was defending Pritchard at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court, said she has since realised she ‘has to change’.

Ward was jailed for 52 months while Pritchard was jailed for 48 months.

Both admitted robbery and affray.