'Calculated' Corby gunpoint robber left cabbie fearing for his life

Police were so desperate to find Shaun Alexander that a £1,000 reward for information leading to his arrest was put up on May 31 - but hours after his face was plastered across news outlets he threatened to kill his next victim.

In the early hours of June 1, 37-year-old Alexander sat waiting for a taxi driver to turn up for a pre-booked fare in Kensington Walk.

He then threatened him with a gun and threatened to kill him before cash, the car keys and his wallet were stolen.

Detective Constable Lee Norton, of Kettering CID, said: “This offence left a man fearing for his life, simply for doing his job."

Alexander, formerly of Selby Walk, admitted robbery and possessing a firearm on what would have been the day of his trial earlier this month.

He was jailed for six years and nine months imprisonment for the robbery offence, with a one-year concurrent sentence for the firearms charge.

He was given a further two months for stealing a bicycle in Corby in February, making his total jail term six years and 11 months.

Detective Constable Norton added: “Alexander’s actions were calculated to instil fear and ensure his victim did as he was told, with no regard for the effect such an experience would have on him.

“I’m really pleased with the sentence imposed and hope it goes some way to helping the victim move forward.

"It also shows that there are significant consequences for those who choose to use violence to commit crime in our county.”

Armed officers had been seen around his home and searching woodland before he was finally caught.

Days after the robbery he was put back behind bars after failing to turn up for unpaid work just two weeks after he was given a suspended sentence for carrying a knife.