Wrexham woman jailed for three years after robbing taxi driver

Lyndsey Royce, of Connor Crescent in Wrexham, appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court for sentencing on Thursday.

The 29-year-old, who appeared on a video link from HMP Styal, had previously admitted an offence of robbery.

David Mainstone, prosecuting, told the court that on November 28, Speedie Cars taxi driver Djamel Rouibah was dispatched to a pickup in Marchwiel.

Three females - one of whom was Royce - got into the car with a dog and asked to be taken to Connor Crescent.

They arrived at the destination without incident but when it came to paying the £6.60 fare, one of the females handed over a £10 note and queried the change when it was handed back - falsely claiming she had handed over a £20 note.

When Mr Rouibah showed her the note, she "snatched" it back and when he showed the next note he had taken before theirs had also been a £10, Royce snatched that one as well.

READ MORE: Ruabon man ordered to pay back £12,000+ in criminal proceeds

Now £20 out of pocket, he asked for the money back, which led to the females shouting and Royce grabbing him round the neck, pulling him back and holding him firmly in his seat.

One of the other females got out and opened his driver door, pushing her face into his and swearing at him.

Royce released him and grabbed his night's takings, which amounted to £180.

The three walked off, ignoring Mr Rouibah's pleas to return the cash.

In a victim impact statement, read to the court, Mr Rouibah said he used to enjoy his work but after the incident he was worried about people sitting behind him.

He didn't return to work until after Christmas, which affected him financially.

The money Royce took was going to be used for a short holiday the day after the offence.

Simon Rogers, defending, said: "This incident started because of a misunderstanding. Sadly that caused the defendant to react and the incident escalated.

Lyndsey Royce (Image: North Wales Police)

"This is a defendant who has had a difficult personal life and a troubled background.

"She lost her daughter in 2013 within an hour of giving birth.

"That has had a profound impact on her.

"In the years that followed, her drug use escalated.

"She tells me she is desperate to put her offending behind her."

Mr Rogers said his client has completed a level 1 hairdressing course while in custody and is hoping to become a barber when she is released.

Judge Nicola Saffman told the defendant: "Mr Rouibah was working a 12 hour shift as a taxi driver - a shift in the covid-19 pandemic.

"He was serving the community.

"While he could have fought you off, he didn't want to be using force against females.

"You and your associates were shouting and swearing at him - you grabbed him by the throat and pulled him back into his seat, and you stole his entire night's takings.

"He suffered a terrible psychological impact."

The Judge said Royce had an "appalling" criminal record comprising 28 convictions for 59 offences - several of which were for violence and theft.

Royce was jailed for three years for the offence, half of which must be served in prison and the other half on licence in the community.

Make sure you don't miss the top court stories of the week by signing up to our free court newsletter