A DUDLEY 16-year-old who savagely stabbed a taxi driver after luring him to a spot where he could be robbed has been locked up for five years four months.

The teenager who cannot be named for legal reasons was with his partner-in-crime Tyreece Clarke and together they carried out a string of robberies from taxi and delivery drivers in the Black Country area.

He stabbed his victim twice in the chest and again in the hand leaving the man psychologically damaged and afraid now to go out working at night.

Judge Amjad Nawaz told the teen it was clear the pair had targeted the drivers with Clarke threatening one man with an imitation firearm - a weapon his terrified victim believed was real.

He said their crimes were carried out against vulnerable victims performing a public duty and they had a right to be protected by the courts.

The judge told the 16-year-old, who moved to Dudley from the London area, his brutal knife attack could have resulted in the death of the taxi driver adding: "You were clearly willing to take that chance."

He said the knife victim had to spend some time in hospital being treated for his wounds and it was fortunate he had now made a complete recovery.

The judge sentenced the teenager for two robberies, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possessing a bladed article.

Clarke, aged 19 of Newhall Street, West Bromwich, was jailed for a total of 12 years for six robberies, possessing an imitation firearm, three charges of being in possession of a knife and assault by beating.

He further extended the licence of Clarke who had previous convictions including robbery and possessing an imitation firearm by a further five years on his release from custody.

The judge said it was clear Clarke was dangerous and he posed a great risk of causing further harm in the future to members of the public,

He also ruled the 16-year-old posed a high risk of reoffending because he had a tendency to "vent his anger on innocent members of the public."

The youth, he concluded, did not hesitate when it came to using a weapon and he warned him he would be facing longer and longer spells in custody unless he put his life in order

Jennifer Josephs, prosecuting, told Wolverhampton Crown Court that Clarke pointed the imitation gun at the head of a taxi driver leaving the man in fear of being killed while other robbery victims of the pair had money seized.