An armed robber who tasered a taxi driver during a violent crime spree has been jailed.

Paul Evans, 26, of Blunden Drive, Slough, carried out a string of robberies in Watford, Three Rivers district, and Surrey, between August and November of last year.

His ruthless attacks, which mostly targeted taxi drivers, put him towards the top of Hertfordshire Constabulary’s most wanted list - and the game was up when police spotted him in Radlett Road, Watford, on November 12.

Evans armed himself with a knife and Taser to steal bank cards, cash, and mobile phones.

His spree began in Slough, Berkshire, when he burgled a property on August 19. Then he moved over to Watford where he pleaded guilty to being in possession of a stolen Audi A6 car between September 30 and October 8. On October 6, he also stole number plates from an Audi A4 in Malden Road, Watford.

Not content with stealing a number plate, Evans escalated his crime, attacking a taxi driver in Owens Way, Rickmansworth. Evans tasered him before robbing him of some cash.

The following day, a second taxi driver was threatened – this time in Sarratt. His weapon of choice this time was a knife and Evans was able to flee with cash, bank cards, and a mobile phone.

Evans also pleaded guilty to being in an Audi A1 on October 25 which had been stolen from Chesham. He was also charged with making off without paying from the BP fuel garage in Uxbridge Road, Mill End, on the same day.

Evans’ criminal activity then took him to Egham in Surrey where he once again robbed a taxi driver at knifepoint on October 26, stealing a phone and cash. He returned to Hertfordshire to steal number plates from an Audi A1 in Tower Hill, Chipperfield, on November 3.

On November 12, after a foot chase, Evans was arrested in Radlett Road.

Initially, Evans was charged with three offences and remanded in custody but further investigation connected him to a number of other incidents.

In total, Evans was charged with 12 offences including burglary, knifepoint robberies, theft, and handling stolen goods.

On Friday, he admitted all of the charges against him and was sentenced to 11 years and one month in prison.

Detective Constable Steve Mason, from the Three Rivers local crime unit, said: “Evans is a prolific offender. He has shown himself to be a risk to the public with his willingness to threaten innocent people in order to get what he wants.

“I want this sentencing to serve as a warning to travelling criminals – Hertfordshire is not a weak target for you.”