Thug jailed after knifepoint taxi robbery and city centre attacks all in hour long crime spree
- Perry Richardson
- Apr 12
- 2 min read
A man who carried out three knifepoint robberies in the space of around an hour, including stealing a taxi, has been jailed for more than nine years.
Joshua Woolley, 31, was sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Croen Court on 1 April after admitting three counts of robbery and three counts of possession of a knife in a public place. He received a total sentence of nine years and four months.
The court heard that just before 3pm on 23 October, Woolley entered a taxi on Dawlish Drive in Bentilee. When the vehicle stopped on Crestbrook Road in Abbey Hulton, he pulled a knife from his waistband and threatened the driver. The driver fled the vehicle as Woolley chased him before taking control of the taxi and driving away.
Woolley then drove to a petrol station on Ruxley Road in Bucknall, where he again produced the knife and demanded staff open the till. He left with a box filled with tobacco, cigarettes and vapes.
Offender admitted three robberies involving a taxi driver, shop worker and member of the public during a short crime spree in Stoke-on-Trent
At around 3.40pm, officers were called to The Potteries Shopping Centre after Woolley approached a woman and forcibly removed two gold chains valued at about £2,000 from her neck.
Police stopped Woolley nearby and recovered the stolen items along with cigarettes and a large kitchen knife from a bag he was carrying. He initially gave no comment in police interview but later admitted the offences in court when presented with the evidence.
Lead investigator, Pierce Linton, of CID, said: “Woolley committed three knifepoint robberies across Stoke-on-Trent in the space of around an hour.
“He showed no regard for his victims, thankfully none of which were injured, or their belongings.
“The taxi was located on the same day, on Arbour Road, and provided invaluable forensic evidence which eventually led to Woolley admitting the offences in court.
“I hope this sentence shows we are committed to protecting victims across Stoke-on-Trent and wider Staffordshire.”
