Prolific robber who tasered Taxi driver jailed for 11 years

An armed robber who tasered a taxi driver during a violent crime spree has been jailed for 11 years and one month.  Paul Evans, 26, of Slough, carried out a string of robberies in Watford, Three Rivers district, and Surrey. 

His attacks took place between August and November 2018 and targeted mostly taxi drivers. 

Armed with a knife and Taser, Evans would go on to steal bank cards, cash, and mobile phones from his victims. 

Evans started out by robbing property and stealing cars, but he soon turned his attention to taxi drivers, considering them an easy target. 

During the robbery of a taxi driver in Rickmansworth, Evans tasered his victim before robbing him of cash. The following day, Evans targeted another taxi driver, and using a knife to threaten him, he robbed his victim of his money, mobile phone and bank cards.

Evans went on to rob another taxi driver at knifepoint in Surrey for a phone and money.

He was finally caught and arrested on November 12 following a foot chase by the police.  Evans also pleaded guilty to being in an Audi A1 on October 25 which had been stolen from Chesham. He was also charged with making off without paying from the BP fuel garage in Uxbridge Road, Mill End, on the same day. Evans was initially only charged with three offences and remanded in custody, but following further investigations he was connected to a number of other incidents. Evans was charged with a total of 12 offences including burglary, knifepoint robberies, theft, and handling stolen goods. 

During his hearing, which took place on Friday, Evans admitted all of the charges against him and was sentenced to 11 years and one month in prison. Detective Constable Steve Mason, from the Three Rivers local crime unit, said: “Evans is a prolific offender. He has shown himself to be a risk to the public with his willingness to threaten innocent people in order to get what he wants. “I want this sentencing to serve as a warning to travelling criminals – Hertfordshire is not a weak target for you.” 

Image: Source; Hertfordshire Constabulary