A DRUNKEN Kidderminster man who tried to rob a taxi driver in Worcester has been jailed for 30 months.

Thomas Loveridge claimed he was so drunk he could not recollect what happened but Judge Ian Morris said he did not believe this version of events.

He said there appeared to be "an element of cunning" by Loveridge to try and minimise his responsibility for what had happened.

Loveridge, 34, of Cherry Orchard, Kidderminster, plea-ded guilty at Wor-cester Crown Court to attempted theft from taxi driver Shazad Shaukat.

Pardeep Tiwana, prosecuting, said Loveridge had had a lot to drink in the Three Pears pub on October 16 last year so the manager called for a taxi. The driver asked for the £20 fare in advance but Loveridge said he had only small change.

As he drove off, Mr Shaukat was flagged down by Loveridge, who claimed he had the money after all. When the driver wound down the window, Loveridge threw a punch and grabbed his cash bag.

There was a struggle for the bag, which the driver retained. Loveridge ran off but returned to the pub and was arrested by police.

Miss Carol Knotts, defending, said Loveridge had a lengthy record but had only twice been in custody. He was trying hard to give up drinking and knew that alcohol did not mix with the drugs he was taking for his epilepsy.