Family praise police response after knifepoint car thief jailed for 16-years

The family of a woman in her 70’s, who was subjected to a terrifying knifepoint robbery in Brewood, have praised our response after the offender was jailed for more than 16 years.

The family of a woman in her 70’s, who was subjected to a terrifying knifepoint robbery in Brewood, have praised our response after the offender was jailed for more than 16 years.

Nikki Taylor, aged 40, of Wolverhampton, went inside a house on 12 September last year armed with a stick, a brick and a knife. He threatened to kill the victim if she didn’t hand over the keys to her car.

Taylor held a knife to the victim’s throat, subsequently cutting her hand when she moved to defend herself.

Thankfully, despite the traumatic ordeal, the victim wasn’t seriously injured in the incident.

Taylor got inside the car, a Citroen DS, and drove off. He also took £50 in cash and food from inside the home.

The efforts to locate Taylor involved officers from Staffordshire, West Midlands, West Mercia and the Central Motorway Police Group. Officers worked hard to gather all of the evidence as quickly as possible in order to track him down. Officers also worked to support the victim throughout.

Taylor was sighted the following day in Wolverhampton. He rammed a police vehicle and smashed through the gates of RAF Cosford.

Taylor tried to fight with officers when he was arrested and was subsequently brought in for questioning and charged with the offences.

Taylor was sentenced to 13-and-a-half-years at Stafford Crown Court on Friday 2 August after he admitted robbery, driving a motor vehicle dangerously, taking a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent and causing damage to a property of a value unknown. He was also given a restraining order against the victim and ordered to take an extended driving re-test.

Following the court result, the victim’s family said: “We would like to express our immense gratitude to Staffordshire Police and the officers from other forces involved in the arrest for bringing this case to justice.

“We are especially grateful to the initial response officers for their care in handling what was a very traumatic initial scene, and to the officer who has led the investigation throughout for their tireless support and dedication over the last 10-months.

“We also hope this sends a clear message that violent attacks in the home, particularly on vulnerable people, will continue to be dealt with harshly in Staffordshire.”