A VIOENT Halesowen robber who terrorised taxi drivers by threatening them with a used needle "infected with AIDS" has been jailed for seven years.

David Purcell, aged 31, went on a crime spree last summer but quick-thinking taxi drivers helped the police catch him by keeping the phone numbers he had phoned from.

Purcell, from Hamilton Avenue, got into the first taxi on Cloister Avenue on June 6 where he held what he claimed was a used syringe infected with the Aids virus to the taxi drivers neck and demanded money.

The terrified man handed over cash and Purcell then fled on foot.

He did exactly the same thing on Shenstone Avenue on July 14. Fortunately, neither driver was injured in the robberies.

Officers traced Purcell after working with the owner of the cab firm and linking the phone number they had been called on by the offender to the mobile owned by Purcell. It was found in his possession when he was arrested on August 2.

Purcell was sentenced to seven years at Wolverhampton Crown Court after admitting two counts of robbery.

DC Sean Lowe, who led the investigation, said: "These serious offences understandably caused a lot of concern amongst cab drivers in the area, who feared the offender would strike again.

"Mobile phone cell site data was collected for both the offences which put Purcell at the locations and coupled with positive identification by the brave victims we were able to get this result.

"I hope the news he has been taken off the streets for such a long time offers reassurance both to local drivers and to the community."

Shaz Saleem, chairman of the Dudley Private Hire Taxi Association, helped the police capture Purcell through comparing phone records.

He said: "This is a huge result and clearly shows if we work with the police and cooperate fully then we can bring justice to those who attack the trade.

"I welcome the result and praise the police and the justice system."

It's important to report all crimes to police and also keep the association involved so we can support your case."