A DRUG addict who knifed a taxi driver during a spree of robbery and violence has been jailed for 16 years.

And before carrying out the attack in Bournemouth town centre, Srdan Ivas had been convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm causing disfigurement or permanent injury in his native Croatia.

Judge Brian Forster QC said his actions on April 19 this year justified an extended sentence. The judge also praised those members of the public who had intervened.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard Ivas, 37, entered a hotel in Exeter Road, Bournemouth, on the day in question at just before midnight.

There, he menaced night porter Andrzes Pas with a knife, ransacked the office and eventually robbed Mr Pas of his mobile phone.

The porter was eventually able to lock Ivas out of the office, whereupon, the court heard, he attempted to rob guest Lawrence Bishton, who was returning from a meal with family and friends.

"This defendant went up to Mr Bishton and said in his ear 'give me your ******* money'," said prosecutor Kerry Maylin.

"Mr Bishton, with some courage, told Mr Ivas to '**** off', and then tried to push him out of the hotel."

On being ejected from the hotel Ivas, of no fixed abode, got into a taxi driven by Sameer Niazi and asked to go to Old Christchurch Road. At the Lansdowne roundabout the defendant brandished the knife and demanded money.

"Mr Niazi described what could only have been a horrific journey," said Ms Maylin. She said Ivas grabbed a bag of the night's takings from the dashboard before seizing the steering wheel and sending the car the wrong way around the roundabout.

There was a crash and as the taxi came to a halt Ivas tried to make his escape, but he was grabbed by Mr Niazi.

"There was a scuffle at the door of the taxi cab, it is at that point that Mr Niazi was stabbed, four times in total," said Ms Maylin.

Despite the deep stab wound in his back, Mr Niazi chased Ivas as he fled down Old Christchurch Road.

Fellow taxi driver John Macfarlane and restaurant worker Amandeep Singh joined in and they were able to detain Ivas in Stafford Road, although Mr Macfarlane also suffered knife wounds.

Ivas admitted two counts of robbery, one of attempted robbery, wounding with intent, unlawful wounding and possession of an offensive weapon.

He has no previous convictions in the UK, but had been jailed for drug offences and burglary in Spain in 2011, and he was before the courts in Croatia in 2012 for 'public order' offences. In November last year he was given a suspended sentence for causing GBH as described above.

His counsel, Kevin Hill, said in mitigation: "He tells me that he has had an addiction to the Class A drugs crack cocaine and heroin for some 17 years. He came to the UK from Croatia in October last year seeking employment and a better life."

He added: "He fully accepts responsibility, the probation officer notes he makes no excuses whatsoever. Furthermore he expressed concern for the victims asking about their welfare."

Jailing Ivas, Judge Forster said: "A number of people acted with great bravery. I intend to commend those members of the public who gave assistance."

Detective Constable Amy Burbidge, of Bournemouth CID, said: “We take violent offences such as this extremely seriously and I hope this sentence sends out a clear message that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated.

“I would also like to thank the victims and witnesses involved in this case, particularly those who were involved in the apprehension of the offender.”