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Posted on the 2nd May 2025 in PHTM News
KNIFE WIELDING MAN JAILED FOR OVER FOUR YEARS AFTER TERRIFYING OXFORD TAXI DRIVER
A 36-year-old man, Aaron Johnson, of no fixed abode, has been sentenced to four years and eight months in jail after admitting to robbing a taxi driver at knifepoint in Oxford.
Johnson received his sentence at Oxford Crown Court on Friday, 25 April, having pleaded guilty to charges of robbery and possession of a knife in a public place.
The incident occurred exactly one month prior when Johnson booked a taxi from Atkyns Road in Oxford. After the driver, a man in his forties, took Johnson to a nearby address and requested payment, Johnson produced a large knife and held it to the driver's throat, threatening him.
Despite the terrifying ordeal, the taxi driver was not physically injured. Johnson made off with a mere £6.09 in cash.
The driver immediately contacted the police, and response teams swiftly located and apprehended Johnson within two hours of the crime.
He was charged on the same day and held in custody pending his trial.
Detective Constable Butler commended the rapid response of the police teams, stating: “Officers from response and Oxford’s Priority Crime Team worked swiftly to respond, identify, locate and then arrest Johnson within hours and this is an excellent example of teams working well together.”
He also acknowledged the impact on the victim, saying: “The victim was traumatised by the offender’s actions and officers have supported the victim throughout this investigation.”
DC Butler further emphasised the police's commitment to tackling knife crime, asserting: “We will continue to respond robustly to knife-enabled offences and we are happy justice has been served in this case and a clearly dangerous offender has been taken off the streets.”
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