A promising soldier and two other ex-servicemen who robbed a taxi driver, after a disagreement over the fare, have all been given two-year jail sentences.

The driver feared he would be killed during his ordeal. He was punched, grabbed around the throat and nearly £300 cash was taken from him.

A crown court heard defence pleas not to send Martin Morrow, Jason Ormisher and Dale Gallagher to immediate custody and 30 references which spoke of them in the highest terms.

But the judge, Recorder Stephen Dodds, said: "The public would think I had taken leave of my senses if I didn't pass a sentence which is merited by the disgraceful behaviour you engaged in."

Morrow, 23, who is based at Hook in Hampshire, Ormisher, 23, of Church Street, Ribchester and Gallagher, 19, of Sarmatian Fold, Ribchester, pleaded guilty to robbery.

The three defendants, plus two others, had been picked up outside Rendezvous club in Whalley in May this year.