Man jailed for 'terrifying' taxi knife robbery

A robber who subjected a taxi driver to a "terrifying" ordeal after holding a knife to his neck in Aberdeen has been jailed for four years.

Peter Garland, 33, was a passenger in the victim's vehicle when he produced the weapon and took a mobile phone.

Garland admitted assault at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Lady Haldane said he would have faced a six year jail term but for his guilty plea.

The taxi had been called in October last year before unemployed Garland carried out the crime in Rowan Road.

Driver Michael Paterson picked up Garland and others but when he pulled up during the journey he felt a sharp object at the side of his neck.

Garland later told an acquaintance: "I was the one with the knife. It is all on me."

Defence counsel Neil Shand said: "The accused is remorseful in regard to his actions. He recognises the effect that the offence had on the taxi driver."

Lady Haldane previously said it must have been a terrifying experience for the victim.

The judge told Garland it was a serious offence committed against a background of persistent criminality.

Lady Haldane pointed out that Garland was assessed as posing a high risk of reoffending and told him: "In this case protection of the public is clearly a significant factor."

She ordered that Garland should be supervised and monitored in the community for a further two-year period after his release.

Det Insp Gavin Fleming said: "This was a deeply distressing incident for the victim.

"No-one should be expected to be assaulted or abused in the course of their work."