A couple who robbed and assaulted a taxi driver at knife point in Burnley have been sentenced.

Shaun Michael Hennessey, 33, of Griffin Close, Burnley, and Rebecca Ratcliffe, 29, of Highfield Road, Blackburn, rang for a taxi from Cavalier Taxis in Burnley.

When the driver picked them up on the afternoon of Monday, May 8, he asked for the fare up front, as he was unsure if the couple were going to pay, Burnley Crown Court heard.

After the driver asked the couple for the fare, Hennessey, who was sitting behind the driver's seat, put his hand around the driver's neck and threatened him with a kitchen knife measuring around three inches long.

CCTV footage shows the couple demanded the driver provide them with money, and when he gave them around £100 in cash, Ratcliffe took the money from him.

They demanded for more, but the victim told the robbers he only had his wallet with cards left in, before they both fled on foot.

Police later arrested the couple after identifying the pair through the CCTV and locating the number of Ratcliffe's phone, which was used to book the taxi.

Ratcliffe also admitted to possessing crack cocaine when she was arrested, and claimed she may have swallowed more than what police found.

Hennessey had also been found previously with crack cocaine and suspected illegal cash in his car by the police.

They both pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of a Class A drug.

Both defendants have a number of previous convictions, with Hennessey having previous for assault.

Prosecuting, Joshua Bowker told the court the victim was mentally and physically upset by the altercation, and has still not told his family of the incident has he fears they will not want him to return to work.

Mr Bowker told the court that in a victim personal statement, he is also still afraid to drive down similar streets where the incident occurred and to pick up customers like Hennessey and Ratcliffe in fear of a revenge attack.

Mitigating for Hennessey, Mark Stuart told the court four different family members of his client had died in the past year, and he had not planned to execute the robbery.

Mitigating for Ratcliffe, Mark Kellet told the court although she has struggled with drugs and alcohol in the past, his client understands she needs to rehabilitate herself for her two children.

Judge Sara Dodd sentenced Hennessey to three years and seven months in prison, and Ratcliffe to two years and four months.

She said: "I understand you did not plan the robbery, but you have been unable to explain why you carried the knife in the first place.

"I have taken into account both of your remorse, and what you have done to behave since, with Hennessey's full time employment in prison and taking part in mentoring and Ratcliffe's rehabilitation with alcohol and drugs.

"But the damage from the victim is still present, and he still struggles to go to work months after the incident."

After being sentenced, Hennessey shouted out: "I needed this. This is why I did it."