A THUG who threatened a taxi driver at knifepoint during a ‘terrifying’ robbery has been jailed for three years.

Jack Harradine, 23, of Catford, London, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court after pleading guilty to robbery. He was arrested following a CCTV appeal.

Earlier the court heard how the cabbie, a local man in his 50s, was threatened by knife-wielding Harradine in the early hours of Tuesday, September 20, last year.

The taxi driver, who was not physically injured during the robbery, managed to fend off Harradine with a screwdriver. His bravery was later praised by detectives.

Harradine, who had been a passenger in the cab, fled empty-handed.

Detective Constable Mark Richardson, of Bournemouth CID, said: “This was a terrifying incident for the victim and I would like to praise his bravery during the ordeal.

“I would like to thank the public for their assistance in helping to identify Harradine following the CCTV appeal.

“Knife crime will not be tolerated and we will bring offenders to justice.”

Harradine was picked up by the taxi, along with another man and a woman, outside Bournemouth train station around 12.10am. As the taxi drove along Wimborne Road they asked to stop at the Miro off-licence. While the woman stayed in the back of the taxi, the two men went into the off-licence - where they were caught on CCTV - before returning.

After driving off, they asked the taxi driver to pull over in Lawford Road.

However, as they walked off the driver was forced to get out of his cab to close one of its rear doors. It was at this point when the robbery took place.

Harradine returned to the cab and demanded money from the shocked driver, before removing his keys from the ignition and threatening him with a knife.

When Harradine lunged towards the victim, police say, the driver was able to reach back into his taxi, grab a screwdriver and fend off the 23-year-old. Harradine was jailed on Monday, May 8, this year.