Taxi driver jailed for robberies

A TAXI driver who used his boss' vehicle as a getaway car for two robberies was jailed for four years yesterday.

Lai Wing-cho, 29, pleaded guilty to two robbery charges and taking a vehicle without authority.

Deputy Judge Andree-Wiltens heard in the District Court that Lai worked as a night shift taxi driver for Man Tak-fai once a week.

On July 29 this year, Lai took Mr Man's taxi at 3 am. About an hour later, he robbed a taxi driver of $1,000. Another hour later, he snatched a handbag from a passenger.

Lai escaped in his taxi and the victim noted down the registration number.

Defence solicitor Dickson Tang said Lai was remorseful. He said Lai had to support his family and the crime was not the worst of its kind.