An Oldham father who robbed a taxi driver at knifepoint was told he is "no role model" to his children by a judge when being sentenced.
On Monday, April 17, Karl Healy, of Shaw Road, Royton, appeared at Minshull Street Crown Court after pleading guilty to robbery and threatening a person with a knife.
John Kennerley, prosecuting, told the court that in the early hours of October 3 last year, Healy got into a taxi which was driving on Shaw Road at the time of the incident.
Healy, 33, suggested to the driver he pull over before he punched him in the head and pointed a knife against the taxi driver's chest.
The driver jumped out of the car and "banged" his arm, which was vulnerable as it had recently been broken.
Healy stole £100 in cash from the driver that was in the car, as well as a set of keys belonging to the driver and a taxi phone.
He was eventually arrested at an address on Shaw Road, with Mr Kennerley saying he had left the taxi driver "shocked and traumatised" as well as with pain to his arm, forcing him to no longer work at night and to wear his arm in a sling.
Mark Fireman, defending, said Healy has had issues with drug abuse problems in the past which has fuelled his history of crime, which includes another instance of robbery.
He added that Healy wants to "get clean and become a better father" to his three children.
However, when passing sentence, Recorder Karen Brody said Healy was "no role model" to his children.
She added: "Things need to change if you want to be involved in your children's lives, you can't [be a parent] from prison."
Recorder Brody said the incident must have been "terrifying" for the victim who had suffered "emotional harm" as well as physical pain.
She sentenced Healy to five years and seven months in prison for his actions.
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