Vincent O’Connor jailed for nearly 5 years after robbing a taxi driver. He confessed to the crime and has a long history of offenses.
Vincent O’Connor choked and bit the driver, stealing £140, the day’s earnings. The court heard O’Connor had 95 past offenses. A judge jailed him, calling him a public danger.
O’Connor, aged 37, instructed the driver to go down a dead end near Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium. He then choked him and stole the money. O’Connor had paid £70 for a ride from Salford to Kirkdale.
Nearing his destination, O’Connor grabbed the driver’s neck and twisted it violently from behind. This happened last November, shortly after he was released from jail for another robbery. In 2021, he threatened a woman with a tool and stole bikes in London.
After stealing the wallet, O’Connor spent the money and was arrested at home the next day, where he immediately confessed to the police. O’Connor admitted to the robbery, and the prosecutor noted he had started at a pub.
The driver said he felt scared after the attack and took a week off work, unsure if he could drive again. He expressed feeling unsafe because of the incident.
O’Connor didn’t attend his sentencing. His lawyer said he had a rough life, including struggles with drug, alcohol, and mental health issues. He apologized in a written letter, blaming a “dark place” and stating he used alcohol to cope.
The judge mentioned two robberies in short order and noted the use of violent force. He called O’Connor a high risk to the public and said he might re-offend, pointing to his prior crimes. O’Connor got four years, eight months in jail, and five years of extended supervision.