Teenager jailed after a string of robberies on cabbies in Windsor
Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, a teenager has been sentenced to more than three and a half years’ in prison after being convicted of three counts of robbery and possession of a bladed article in Wraysbury.
George Appleton, aged 18, of Watts Hill Cottages, Wraysbury, pleaded guilty to all four counts in a hearing at Reading Crown Court on Thursday, 11 April.
The offences all took place between 6 May and 12 May 2018 when Appleton robbed taxi drivers at knifepoint.
The first offence took place in Ferry Lane, Wraysbury at around 2.35am on Sunday 6 May when Appleton threatened a taxi driver, a 53-year-old man, with a knife and stole a quantity of cash. The victim suffered a head injury and bruising during the robbery. On Friday 11 May at around 2.50am, Appleton assaulted another taxi driver, a 44-year-old man, in Ferry Lane, resulting in a gash to the victim’s head. The third offence took place at around 3am on Saturday 12 May in Park Lane, Datchet. The taxi driver, a 38-year-old man, was assaulted and his wallet and a quantity of cash was stolen. The victim suffered a cut above an eye, bruising and swelling to his cheek and head and bruising on one side of his body. Appleton was arrested on 12 May 2018 and subsequently charged on 18 November 2018. After pleading guilty to all four charges, Appleton was sentenced to a total three years and eight months’ imprisonment. Investigating officer Detective Constable Peter Hindley, based at Maidenhead police station, said: “Appleton indulged in a violent spree of offending, targeting lone taxi drivers. “He would get them to drive him to isolated roads and there he would subject them to violent attacks. “In one offence, Appleton carried and showed a knife to force home his demands and threats for cash. “The sentence handed down in relation to these offences reflect both the bravery of the victims in coming forward and the dedicated hard work of the team at Maidenhead to ensure this dangerous offender was brought to justice. “Appleton will now have time in prison to reflect on his actions.”
Image Source: Thames Valley Police
