A MAN who robbed a taxi driver after threatening to bite off his nose will spend Christmas behind bars after failing to get bail.

Benjamin Davies, 25, pleaded guilty at Durham Crown Court today (Thursday, December 18) to robbery of a car key, criminal damage and making off without paying for his taxi fare in Thornley, east Durham, on November 14.

His defending barrister, Annalise Haugstad, applied for the case to be adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be obtained and asked for bail to be granted.

But Judge Christopher Prince told Davies: “I have no doubt that if I released you on bail there is a substantial risk that you will take drugs over Christmas and commit further offences.”

He added: “You, having got into a taxi and promised money on arrival threatened the driver on arrival and told him to empty out his pockets. And you threatened to bite his nose off.

“He handed over his phone and watch and you continued to shout threats at him. He was so frightened he got out of his vehicle leaving you there.”

The taxi driver,who saw Davies tear off a CCTV camera from inside the taxi and take keys, later managed to lock himself in the car.

Judge Prince said: “Thankfully the taxi had five cameras in all and your behaviour was captured.”

Davies of Hillside Crescent, Thornley, was remanded in custody to January 13.