Taxi driver knifepoint robbery in Gloucester leads to over 8 years in prison for pair
- Perry Richardson
- 12 hours ago
- 2 min read
A man and a woman have been jailed for a combined total of eight and a half years after carrying out a knifepoint robbery of a taxi driver in Gloucester.
Justin Francis, 39, and Tiffany Davis, 36, targeted the driver as he pulled into Valley Gardens in the Quedgeley area of the city on Wednesday 17 September last year. The taxi’s CCTV recorded Francis in the back seat waving a knife aggressively, threatening the driver and holding the blade to his throat.
Fearing for his safety, the driver handed over £70 in cash and ran from the vehicle. He later returned after seeing Francis enter a nearby block of flats. Davis left the taxi shortly afterwards, and the driver then went to Police Headquarters to report the robbery.
Police later found Francis and Davis at an address in Gloucester and arrested both. At Bristol Crown Court last month, the pair admitted robbery under section 8(1) of the Theft Act. Francis also pleaded guilty to possessing a bladed article in a public place.
Justin Francis and Tiffany Davis were sentenced after admitting the robbery of a taxi driver in Quedgeley, where CCTV captured a knife being held to the victim’s throat.
On Tuesday 21 April, Francis was jailed for four and a half years, while Davis was sentenced to four years. Both were also made subject to 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.”
