Greenock taxi driver fights off knifeman by snapping blade

A Greenock taxi driver had a lucky escape after fighting off a knifeman by snapping the knife blade during an attempted late night robbery in a graveyard.

19 year old Kieran McDermid asked the cab driver to take him to the graveyard on 9 December 2018, claiming that it was the anniversary of his grandmother's death.

However, the would-be robber fled empty-handed after the driver grabbed the knife and snapped it, before telling McDermid: "I'm giving you the opportunity to go now."

McDermid then opted to punch and struggle with the driver before eventually fleeing.

According to the Greenock Telegraph, the attacker was caught because the struggle with the cabbie left DNA on the victim's top.

He was subsequently arrested in February after pulling a knife and robbing another taxi driver on 21 January, fleeing with £10.

McDermid pleaded guilty to both offences at Greenock Sheriff Court and has been remanded in custody pending sentencing. Emma Jeffrey, prosecuting, told the court that McDermid entered the rear of the taxi on West Stewart Street, claiming that it was the anniversary of his gran's death and asked to be taken to the cemetery, before saying: "Gimme your money and don't press the panic button". She went on to tell the court that the cabbie grabbed the knife with his right hand and it snapped. Ms Jeffrey then told the court that in the second incident McDermid called a taxi to an address on Mary Street shortly after 4pm, and as the cab entered Earnhill Road McDermid produced a knife and demanded the driver handed over his money. Last April McDermid was sentenced to four months detention after being caught with a knife concealed within his trouser leg at Inverclyde Royal Hospital.

Sheriff Andrew McIntyre has deferred sentence on the latest offences until 25 June for reports.

Greenock Sheriff Court Image Source: Geograph

Greenock Sheriff Court Image Author: Robert Currie

Hammer and Gavel Image Source: Maxpixel