TWO men have admitted a string of robberies which involved targeting taxi drivers and stealing hundreds of pounds.

Patrick Burke, 29, of Audley Way, Basildon, and Jazz West, 26, of no fixed address both admitted the robberies on taxi drivers in Avon Way and Fairlop Gardens, Basildon, last month.

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 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.

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 as well as burglaries in Maldon and Runwell and one count of theft from TK Maxx in Basildon.

He admitted all additional charges when he appeared with Burke from HMP Chelmsford via video link at Basildon Crown Court yesterday.

Sentencing was adjourned by judge Samantha Leigh and both men were remanded in custody so the probation service could carry out a dangerousness assessment due to the serious nature of the offences.

Burke appeared at Basildon Magistrates in September where he 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 is also due to be sentenced for these offences.

Both men will be sentenced at Basildon Crown Court on December 17.

Judge Leigh barred West’s family from being present at future hearings after they shouted out in court.