Man jailed after threatening taxi driver to take him to custody

A man has been jailed for threatening a taxi driver with a knife to demand that he take him to a police custody facility.

Grant Wainwright, aged 31, of Cherry Grove, Blurton, was jailed for 18 months on 28 July, at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, after pleading guilty to threatening a person with a knife and possession of class A drugs.

The court heard how Wainwright demanded the taxi driver take him to our northern area custody facility on Crown Street in Stoke-on-Trent, on 25 June.

As the taxi pulled up at the facility, Wainwright told the driver to use the intercom to tell officers he had been threatened by a man with a knife.

Officers immediately detained Wainwright, who had exited the vehicle and thrown the knife of the ground.

A search of Wainwright revealed a quantity of cocaine.

He was arrested and subsequently charged before being convicted on 27 June.

The taxi driver was left shaken, but unhurt, in the incident.

Sergeant Christopher Gifford, of Stoke North local policing team, said: “This was a bizarre and harrowing experience for the victim in this case who was understandably frightened for his life.

“I am glad Wainwright has received a custodial sentence for his threatening actions and hope this reassures the community that such an individual is now off our streets.”