A Tottenham man who committed a string of attacks on cab drivers in Haringey has been sentenced to life in prison.

Mark Anthony Brown, of St Ann’s Road, Tottenham, was sentenced to life with a minimum of five years on Friday for a series of physical assaults and robberies on mini cab drivers in the Tottenham and Stamford hill areas.

Brown, 50, was convicted of four offences across Haringey and Hackney in October 2014.

The first incident happened in Amhurst Park on Friday, October 3 when Brown threatened a 51-year-old male cab driver with a four inch knife and punched him to the head. The cab driver sounded his car horn to attract attention while the attack continued, with Brown punching and biting him before stealing a briefcase.

The following day Brown took a cab from Bethnal Green to Woodbury Grove, N4. He told the victim he had a knife and demanded he hand over his money before punching him in the face and stealing £130.

On Sunday October 12 Brown took a cab from the N17 area to Earls Mead Road N15. He produced a £50 note to pay his fare and as the driver took out his wallet to give him change Brown snatched £40 from it and ran off.

The final attack took place on Monday October 13 when Brown took a cab to Stamford Hill. Once there he held a knife against the 54-year-old cab driver's neck and punched him several times in the face. He fled the car with around £50 in cash and a satellite navigation device, leaving the victim with a broken nose and extensive swelling to his eye socket and face.

Detective Constable Matt Mowbray, of Hackney Borough CID, said: "Brown's actions have had lasting impact on his victims. His repeated attacks left other mini cab drivers in the area very fearful for their safety.

"I can only hope that this lengthy sentence serves to reassure the public, now that this dangerous man has been removed from the streets."