by Keith Hunt

messengernews@thekmgroup.co.uk

A teenage father-to-be subjected a taxi driver to a terrifying ordeal while trying to rob him for money to spend on drugs, a court heard.

Abdul Basit had delivered an Indian meal to a house in Saltings Road, Snodland, when he saw three youths looking in his cab.

Jo Cope, prosecuting, said one of them demanded: "Give us your money."

When Mr Basit replied he did not have any, another youth asked for his phone.

The victim managed to get into his car in the cul-de-sac and lock the doors. The youths surrounded him and kicked the car.

They removed the magnetic licence plate attached to the back and smashed a rear window with it, the prosecutor told Maidstone Crown Court.

Mr Basit called the police and his attackers walked off. He told officers he had lived in the area for six years without problems but now felt insecure since the incident on October 3 last year.

Peter Taylor, 18, formerly of Simpson Road, Snodland, admitted attempted robbery. He had previous convictions for assault. He was sentenced to nine months youth custody.

He told police he was drunk and he and his friends intended to rob the cabbie because he was an easy target. One friend had a spanner to intimidate.

The money, he added, would have been spent on drugs. He admitted throwing the licence plate through the window.

Philip Misner, defending, said it was unpleasant anti-social behaviour. Taylor’s 16-year-old girlfriend was pregnant and the baby was due in June.

"That has been a wake-up call," said Mr Misner. "He wants to put all this behind him. He realises he has to go straight. He wants to be out in time to help with the baby."