Tyldesley: Knife man attacked Uber driver and robbed boy

Jake Nowell, 21, came at the driver, who was trying to get on with his normal working day, in the car park of a branch of McDonalds on Tyldesley Road, Tyldesley on September 12, 2021.

Appearing to be under the influence of drugs and alcohol, Bolton Crown Court heard how Nowell became threatening with the innocent driver, appearing to accuse him of selling drugs.

Ellen Shaw, prosecuting, said: “He approached saying ‘are you selling drugs on my turf? You best not be selling drugs on my turf.’”

A confrontation ensued and Nowell, who at that time had only one previous conviction, stabbed the Uber driver in the leg, which fortunately for the victim did not go very deep.

Ms Shaw said: “It may not have been the most significant wound, but it could have been worse.”

The McDonald's on Tyldesley Road (Image: Google Maps)

Later that day Nowell, by then in a car, came across a 15-year-old boy who’s older brother he had known at school walking home from a friend’s house.

Armed with a machete he chased after the boy and forced him to hand over his Canada Goose jacket before chasing him some more in a car.

Ms Shaw told the court how after being robbed, the boy made it back to his friend’s house and the police were called.

On searching Nowell’s home, the officers found the machete along with the razor used to attack the Uber driver and what appeared to be a flick knife.

Nowell, of Prospect Street, Tyldesley, was arrested and gave no comment when interviewed by police but eventually pleaded guilty to robbery, malicious wounding and possession of a knife in a public place.

Gerald Baxter, defending, told the court that Nowell had "no recollection" of the events of that day but now accepted his guilt adding that he was under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time.

He also said that he deserved credit for having admitted his crimes and wanted to turn his life around as soon as possible.

Mr Baxter said: “He’s a young man, he’s got no qualifications, he has no work.

“He wants to find such work, he knows that that would change his behaviour and he wants to say sorry to his victims.”

Though he accepted that Nowell had since reflected on his actions, Judge Nicholas Clarke KC highlighted the how serious knife crime can be and how devastating the consequences of using weapons like these can be.

He said: “Unfortunately, I have seen similar such weapons used in murder cases.”

Judge Clarke also pointed out that though Nowell’s attack on the uber driver had not left an especially deep wound, it was still "frightening and nasty" while robbing the boy would also have lasting consequences.

He said: “These do leave traces and enduring thoughts with the victims of such cases.”

Judge Clarke sentenced Nowell to four years and two months in prison.