Mark Anthony Brown will serve at least five years
A Tottenham man was jailed for life and will serve at least five years after pleading guilty to four counts of robbery against minicab drivers.
Mark Anthony Brown, 50, of St Ann’s Road, Haringey, was handed the sentence at Snaresbrook Crown Court earlier this month.
The first robbery took place on Friday 3 October in Amhurst Park. The victim, a 51-year-old male cab driver, was threatened by Brown with a four inch knife and then punched to the head. The victim sounded his car horn to attract passers-by, but Brown still continued his attack, punching and biting him, before stealing a briefcase.
The second offence took place the following day, when Brown entered a mini cab office in Bethnal Green Road, east London. He asked the 31-year-old driver to take him to Woodbury Grove in the north of the city.
Brown told the victim he had a knife and ordered him to hand over his money. A struggle ensured, with Brown punching the driver in the face, before stealing £130 in cash.
A week later, on 12 October, Brown was collected by a 40-year-old mini cab driver from Tottenham area. He was taken to nearby Earlsmead Road and produced a £50 note to pay for his fare. The driver took out his wallet to get some change and, as he did so, Brown leant forward from the back seat and snatched £40 from his hand before running off.
Brown’s final attack took place the following day, when he took a cab to the Stamford Hill area. Once at his destination he held a knife against the 54-year-old cab driver’s neck and punched him several times to the face.
He fled the car with around £50 in cash and a satellite navigation system. The victim suffered a broken nose and extensive swelling to his eye socket and face.
Brown was arrested on 20 October, after a police foot chase. Following a complex investigation he was charged with four counts of robbery.
Detective Constable Matt Mowbray said: “Brown’s actions have had lasting impact on his victims. His repeated attacks left other mini cab drivers in the area very fearful for their safety.
“I can only hope that this lengthy sentence serves to reassure the public, now that this dangerous man has been removed from the streets.”