ONE of two men who robbed a taxi driver is behind bars for two years and eight months.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Bryn Reynolds, 25, was also said to have tried to take victim Mohammed Jumma's vehicle in the attack in which his accomplice snatched £100 and a mobile telephone.

Mr Jumma was also subjected to violence and hit with an iron bar by the accomplice but the prosecution had offered no evidence against him.

Sara Dodd, prosecuting, told the court the offence took place on Garden Street, Oswaldtwistle. Mr Jumma was grabbed by the defendant's accomplice and punched in the side of the face by Reynolds.

Mr Jumma got out of his vehicle and was trying to use his mobile telephone. Meantime, the defendant was searching the taxi.

Miss Dodd said the taxi driver had his cash with him but got involved in a struggle with the defendant who was trying to take the car.

Mr Jumma managed to detain the defendant while his accomplice made off with about £100 and a mobile telephone.

Martin Hackett, defending, said it would be the first time Reynolds appeared to have had a binge drinking problem.

The defendant did not use any weapon and the offence was not planned. It came about because Reynolds did not have enough money to pay the taxi fare an wanted to go to his friend's house to collect some cash owing to him.

Mr Hackett said the longest time the defendant had lost his liberty for in the past had been nine months and he urged the court to keep any term of custody as short as possible.