A MAN who attacked and robbed a taxi driver was last night sentenced to four and-a-half years in a young offender's institution.

Michael McKittrick, 19, threatened to stab Pervaz Iqbal Deen and then slashed him across the face with a sharp object before driving off in his cab.

Yesterday, he was found guilty of robbery by a jury on a 10-1 majority following a three-day trial at Teesside Crown Court.

Recorder Andrew Stubbs told him it was an aggravated offence using violence over and above what was necessary.

Sentencing McKittrick, the judge said: "Taxi drivers require protection and the courts can provide that by imposing lengthy sentences on those who attack them in the middle of the night."

The trial heard how McKittrick, of Arundel Green, Middlesbrough, and another unnamed man, had flagged down Mr Deen outside the Brambles Farm Hotel, in Middlesbrough, in the early hours of November 23, last year.

When they reached their destination, in North Ormesby, McKittrick turned on the taxi driver telling him to hand over his money and a struggle ensued.

Mr Deen managed to escape from the car but was then hit in the face, causing a gash in his cheek which required seven stitches.

He was eventually able to flee the scene and raised the alarm with police.

Dan Cordey, for McKittrick, said that although he had a criminal record, he had no previous convictions for violence or robbery.