A man who robbed and racially abused a taxi driver has been jailed.

Samuel Thomas Egerton, 23, of Grange Road, Cheddleton, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment today (Thursday 27 May) at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court after pleading guilty to robbery and religiously aggravated fear or provocation of violence.

At 4.40am on Sunday 4 August 2019, Egerton got into a taxi on Dilhorne Road, Cheadle, and asked to be taken to his home address. A couple of minutes before they got to Grange Road, Egerton was racially abusive to the taxi driver and he threatened him with violence and that he would steal his taxi. He then demanded money from the taxi driver and ran off with £19.

A video of the incident was circulated on social media on 18 January 2020 and Egerton was arrested on 21 January 2020.

Detective Constable Jon Snape, of CID North, said: "Samuel Egerton subjected the taxi driver to a terrifying ordeal. He demanded cash from the driver, was racially abusive and threatened him. Thankfully, the driver was not harmed but he did steal cash from him.

"He has now received a custodial sentence for his actions that morning."

Chief Inspector Mark Thorley, of the Staffordshire Moorlands Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "I, along with others, saw the social media footage of this horrendous act of racially motivated abuse and was disgusted.

"I am reassured that the investigation which quickly followed has led to this point where the offender has been brought to justice and the victim of this crime has been supported. The actions of this person do not reflect the majority of the Moorlands community who I know from the contact I have had are as shocked as myself.

"We will continue to ensure that the Staffordshire Moorlands continues to be the safe place it is to live, visit and work."

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