ARMED robbers have been jailed after terrorising taxi drivers and shop assistants with knives.

Career criminal Patrick Burke was also jailed for a motorbike crash which left his passenger paralysed from the waist down.

Burke, 29, of Audley Way, Basildon, was jailed for seven years including five years for robberies and two for driving offences.

Jazz West, 26, who grew up in Colchester, was sent to prison for eight years for a combination of armed robberies and burglaries.

Judge Ian Graham, at Basildon Crown Court on Friday, said: “Jazz West you will get credit for your plea, you do have previous convictions for robberies.

“I note your poor family background which lead to problems with drugs leading to this.”

While being sentenced West launched into a foul-mouthed tirade at the prosecution causing the microphones to be removed from the video conference room at Chelmsford prison.

West, who has previously robbed people in Colchester and Clacton admitted robbing taxi drivers in Avon Way on October 2 and Fairlop Gardens, Basildon, the following day.

On each occasion the pair threatened the taxi driver with a knife and demanded money fleeing with hundreds of pounds.

They were arrested on October 7 after a taxi driver recognised a picture and picked them out of an identity parade.

West also admitted two further counts of robbery relating to incidents at McColl’s stores in Basildon.

And he also admitted burglaries in Plains Road, Maldon, and Brock Hill, Runwell on January 3 and a theft from TK Maxx in Miles Gray Road, Basildon, on July 27.

Burke was also disqualified from driving in connection with a collision where the pillion passenger of the motorbike he was riding was left paralysed.

PC Matthew Musson said: “Jazz West and Patrick Burke were comfortable threatening violence towards taxi drivers who were just trying to go about their business.

“I hope West and Burke use their sentences to reflect on their actions and the impact their crimes have had.”