Two street robbers have been jailed after they grabbed a man around the throat and ordered him to handover cash as he sat in a taxi in broad daylight.

He was targeted after he was spotted by two thugs withdrawing money from a cash machine in Gillingham High Street and getting inside a pre-booked cab.

The victim, a man in his 40s, had withdrawn £20 to pay for his ride at about 9am on June 9 last year, which had been arranged to collect him and his partner from a nearby street.

But as he walked down Sappers Walk, he heard Dean Lacey, 47, and Michaela Whiting, 39, behind him.

Whiting could be heard saying: "Where does he think he’s going?" Lacey then approached the victim and said: "I want what you got."

There was a brief confrontation before the victim continued to walk towards the taxi, which was waiting to collect him.

But once he was sitting in the rear seat, Lacey leaned into the vehicle and grabbed him around the throat, before reaching into his pockets.

'Whiting and Lacey have clearly shown they are willing to use excessive violence to steal money...'

As Lacey was attacking the victim, Whiting demanded he hand over his bank card. He eventually gave them £5 but refused to give any more money.

Whiting also searched a bag, belonging to the man’s partner and removed some medication before both offenders left the scene. She later admitted the theft, in addition to the robbery.

Officers reviewed CCTV, which captured the incident, and identified Lacey and Whiting as the two offenders - and were detained at their Railway Street home two days later.

They both admitted robbery and were each jailed at Maidstone Crown Court this week for 15 months.

Investigating officer PC Colin Cherry, said: "Whiting and Lacey have clearly shown they are willing to use excessive violence to steal money.

"There are no mitigating circumstances for their actions, and I am pleased we have secured justice for the victim."

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