An armed robber threatened to cut a taxi driver with a knife before making off with £160 in cash.

Matthew Lycett, described by police as a "dangerous criminal", flagged down a cab in Chatham as he set about robbing an innocent target.

The 28-year-old got in the taxi in Maidstone Road and asked the driver to take him to Byrant Street.

After asking for the internal light to be switched on, he leaned forward and placed a knife against the driver's ribs.

Lycett simultaneously reached into the victim's jacket pocket and stole £160, before threatening to cut him as he asked for more cash.

He then got out of the vehicle and ran off.

Police reviewed the taxi's security camera footage and identified Lycett, who was arrested four days after the robbery, on August 17.

The clothes he was wearing when he committed the offence were seized at his home address in Mercian Close, Rochester.

Lycett was later selected by the victim during an identification procedure and was charged with robbery and possession of a bladed article in a public place.

He pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court and on Friday, he was sentenced to four years and six months’ imprisonment, with an extended licence period of four years.

Lycett will have to serve two thirds of the prison sentence before he is eligible for release.

Police say Chatham is now a safer place without the "violent offender" on the streets.

'Taxi drivers should be able to go about their business without fear of being robbed...'

Detective Constable Dan Bister said: "Lycett is a violent offender who thought nothing of arming himself with a weapon and threatening to harm his victim.

"Taxi drivers should be able to go about their business without fear of being robbed of their hard-earned money at knifepoint.

"Chatham is certainly a safer place now this dangerous criminal is behind bars."

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