Stevenage man jailed for knifepoint robbery in Ware

A man has been jailed after pleading guilty to robbing an Uber driver at knifepoint in Ware.

Michael Kiley, aged 35, was sentenced to four and a half years imprisonment at St Albans Crown Court on Friday (28 February), having pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to robbery and possession of a bladed article, as well as possession of Class A and B drugs.

On Thursday 7 November last year, Kiley was picked up by the victim from an address in Ware during the early hours.

A short time into the journey, he produced a knife, holding it to the driver’s neck and threatening him to pull over in Westmill Road.

Kiley then stole the vehicle and drove it to Stevenage, where it was abandoned.

An investigation was launched by detectives from the East Herts Local Crime Unit, leading to Kiley being identified and arrested just a few hours after the offence occurred.

A search of his address was carried out, locating a knife, cannabis, cocaine and a quantity of cash.

Kiley, of Ditchmore Lane, Stevenage, was subsequently charged and remanded into custody ahead of his court appearance.

Detective Constable Jordan Critchley, who led the investigation, said: “Thankfully, the victim was not injured during the incident, but this was, understandably, an extremely frightening ordeal.

“Following fast time enquiries, Kiley was quickly identified and arrested, with dash cam footage capturing the entire incident, leaving him little choice but to plead guilty.”