A thug who helped rob taxi drivers in Gravesend and Swanscombe has been jailed for four years.

Caine Borrow and others first targeted Shubhra Nandi after he went to collect a fare at Rayners Court, Northfleet, on August 25 last year.

Maidstone Crown Court heard two men asked to go to Gunn Road, Swanscombe. They then asked Mr Nandi to return to Rayners Court, but told him to stop at a Shell garage in Stonebridge Road so they could get cigarettes.

As they arrived back at Rayners Court, the Phoenix Taxis cabbie was threatened and forced to hand over about £200 before the men fled.

Mr Nandi claimed a knife with a 6in blade was brandished, but 22-year-old Borrow's guilty plea was accepted on the basis he did not have the weapon.

CCTV footage was taken form the cab and Mr Nandi was able to identify him.

The second raid was three days later on Gurpal Mahil, who worked for Riverview Taxis.

He picked up two men in Bodle Avenue, Swanscombe, who again asked to be taken to Rayners Court. As the taxi turned into Manor Road, one of the passengers claimed of feeling sick and asked to stop.

But as soon as the victim did so, he was grabbed around the neck. He was ordered to hand over cash "or I'll break your neck".

Borrow and the other man fled with just under £200. There was no CCTV camera in the taxi.

The third raid was on Phoenix Taxis driver Jawad Azad, who collected Borrow and another man from Wardona Court, Swanscombe, shortly after midnight on September 16.

Thug Caine Borrow was jailed at Maidstone Crown Court

They asked to be taken to Harmer Street, Gravesend, and as they passed Angels Lounge, the second man said he lived there and asked Mr Azad to go into a side alley.

He refused because it was too narrow and was then directed into Bentley Street, where one of the men tried to strangle him with a seatbelt.

Mr Azad sounded his horn and managed to break free and run. The robber who tried to strangle him ran after and both of them ended up on the ground struggling.

Borrow, of Lewis Road, Swanscombe, ended up with head injuries and had to be treated at Darent Valley Hospital.

He at first denied any involvement, but eventually admitted two robberies and one attempted robbery. The other robber has not yet been arrested.