Leonard David, 26, was captured on dash-cam hurtling along the streets of Derby city centre after assaulting a cab driver while armed with a blade in the early hours
Terrifying footage has emerged of a man leading cops on a hair-raising 100mph chase through Derby city centre after hijacking a taxi at knifepoint. Leonard David, aged 26, was caught on dash-cam footage barreling down the urban streets after assaulting the cab driver with a blade.
The court was told that he had arranged for the taxi to collect him from Hartington Street in the wee hours of October 28, 2024. Once inside, David turned ‘argumentative and aggressive,’ demanding cash from the cabbie before launching a series of punches to his face.
Though the driver coughed up £10, David continued his assault, threatening him with a knife and icily warning: “Do as I say or I will kill you.”
He then forced the driver out and raced away in the Volkswagen Passat. Cops were quick on the scene following the robbery report, soon spotting the stolen taxi on London Road.
However, David was having none of it, gunning the vehicle through pedestrian zones, ignoring red lights, and clocking speeds up to 90-100mph. For public safety, officers called off the pursuit until they later found the car abandoned in Thorntree Lane.
Subsequently, David was seen leaving a casino in nearby Exchange Street, only to try and bolt from police, who captured the drama on body-cam as they gave chase and nabbed him. Upon his arrest, police found the VW Passat’s keys and some class B drugs in his pockets.
The taxi was also searched and a Stanley knife case and blade were found. David, from Sinfin, Derby, faced charges of robbery, dangerous driving and possession of a knife.
He pleaded guilty to the offences and received a six-year prison sentence, along with a six-year driving ban at Derby Crown Court on January 16. PC Natalie Morton, of Derbyshire Police, commented post-trial: “This incident has understandably had a long-lasting impact on the taxi driver both mentally and financially.
“He was subjected to horrendous violence and threats all while simply doing his job, and was then left unable to work for days after this incident while the car was repaired after David damaged it.
“The level of violence and aggression David displayed was shocking and the fact he twice tried to evade capture is a clear sign that he did not want to face the consequences of his actions. I am pleased that he has now been brought to justice and is behind bars for these offences.”
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