Described as "thugs" by the judge who jailed them, Daniel Martin Lewis and Philip Press targeted two Halifax drivers in terrifying attacks on the same night, punching them in the head and demanding money.

The pair's first victim was Khadim Hussain, a driver for Express Cars at Ward's End, Halifax.

Lewis, 21, and 23-year-old Press got into Mr Hussain's taxi and made him pull over in Ramsden Street, Halifax.

Lewis, of Denfield Avenue, Ovenden, Halifax, was sitting behind Mr Hussain. He put his arm around the driver's head, punching him repeatedly in the face.

"Press got out of the taxi, walked round to the driver's door, took out the ignition key and demanded money", said prosecutor Simon Myers.
They grabbed £15 from Mr Hussain and ran off.

Later, the pair got into Allah Ditta's taxi. They asked Mr Ditta, who works for A1 Bashy's Taxis, Bull Green, Halifax, to stop.

Mr Myers said: "Press again got out of the car, walked to the driver's door and took out the key.

"Lewis again put his arms around the driver's head."

He was punched while the pair demanded money. Mr Ditta managed to lean on his car horn, and Lewis and Press, of Moor Close Avenue, Queensbury, ran off empty handed.

Bradford Crown Court heard how, earlier that day, Lewis snatched a handbag in Sainsbury's, Halifax. He was caught and handed back the bag.
Both admitted robbery and attempted robbery. Press was jailed for three years and Lewis, who admitted a further offence of theft, got five years.

Judge Jonathan Rose said: "Taxi drivers are easy targets for thugs like you, for that is all you are."

Sultan Mahmood, secretary of Calderdale Private Hire Association, said: "These drivers are part of the community. Their job is tough enough as it is."