A SERIAL armed robber has been jailed for six years after shooting at a taxi in Colchester.

Ashley Leech called for a taxi and then, while acting with a second man, tried to rob the driver and shot at the car 14 times as the man fled.

He was found guilty of attempted robbery at Chelmsford Crown Court and sentenced yesterday to six years with a four-year extended licence.

This was his seventh robbery conviction in Colchester and he is only 24 years old.

Leech called taxi firm PDQ and ordered a taxi to pick him up from Acacia Avenue, Greenstead, on December 1. Masked men, one of whom was Leech, then demanded money from Thomas Partridge, a driver for 12 years, who fled in his Volkswagen Passat.

As he drove away several shots were fired from a BB gun.

Leech was found five days later hiding in a cardboard box in the loft of his mother’s house, near The Hythe.

A balaclava and BB gun were also found.

He denied a charge of attempted robbery, but was found guilty by a jury majority of ten to two.

Leech had only been released from prison a few weeks earlier, having been jailed for robbery.

Judge David Turner QC said: “You mounted a near-ludicrous defence and the circumstantial evidence was powerful and compelling.

“You appear not to have the mental resourcefulness to stop yourself committing offences.

“You caused physical and psychological harm to your victims.

“Your victim was an innocent taxi driver. The offence was planned. You made a call luring a taxi driver to a dark place.

“A loaded gun of yours was carried and used. Up to 14 bullets were discharged at the rear of the vehicle.

“You have a grave record and seem to have learnt very little from criminal sentences.

“You have shown no remorse.

You lied and lied to the jury and to me.

“You openly accused police officers of planting evidence.”

Leech claimed certain officers had a vendetta against him because of his history and this was “a fit-up”, something the judge described as “ludicrous”.

The judge added: “There is a significant risk of serious harm to the public and of you committing other offences.”