THE sentencing of two violent robbers has been postponed due to their “misbehaviour” in the cells at crown court.

Patrick Burke, 29, of Audley Way, Basildon, and Jazz West, 26, of no fixed address, both admitted two robberies which saw hundreds of pounds stolen from taxi drivers at knife-point.

On both occasions, the two men booked a taxi to pick them up and travelled a little way before threatening the driver and demanding cash.

In the first offence, on October 2, the men made off with about £100 after threatening the driver from A&B taxis, in Avon Way, Basildon, at about 9.30pm.

The following day, the pair threatened a Value Cars taxi driver before pulling the key out of the ignition, grabbing the driver’s shirt and demanding cash.

They made off with cash and a mobile phone worth a combined value of £685 from the second driver after smashing his car radio.

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Both drivers were left extremely shaken, but uninjured by the robbers.

West was also charged with two additional robberies of McColl’s shops in Whitmore Way and Felmores End, Basildon, in June this year.

In addition, he admitted burglaries in Maldon and Runwell and one count of theft from TK Maxx in Basildon.

As well as the two counts of robbery, Burke appeared at Basildon Magistrates in September and admitted causing serious injury after crashing his Honda motorbike last August.

Burke was charged with driving without due care and attention while under the influence of cannabis and without a licence or insurance.

He admitted the charges and was also due to be sentenced for these offences.

The sentencing hearing for all these offences was due to take place at Basildon Crown Court yesterday afternoon before judge Ian Graham.

However, the courts were forced to adjourn the hearing due to the pair “misbehaving” in the cells ahead of their appearance.

The nature of their behaviour is not exactly known but it is thought they were being disruptive and making a large amount of noise in the holding cells on the ground floor of the courthouse.

A representative for the court said the two men had to be returned to HMP Chelmsford “for safety reasons”.