A pair of violent robbers who assaulted a mini-cab driver with a concrete block have been sentenced to more than three years in jail.

Aaron Mizen, 32, and Natalie Bivand, 31, of no fixed address were given three and a half years in prison.

On October 5 2012 at about 4.45pm, the duo took a mini-cab from Maple Road, Penge to Landsdowne Road in Croydon.

They requested the 56-year-old driver to pull over in Bridge Place, Croydon so they could drop something.

When the driver pulled over, Mizen grabbed him and held an object to his neck, which the driver believed to be a knife.

Mizen then pulled the man out of the cab and started hitting him in jaw with a piece of concrete.

The 32-year-old then stole the driver’s wallet, containing £130. Bivand continued to assault the victim then stole money from inside the cab.

The driver was taken to hospital where he was found to have a broken ankle. He was also treated for injuries to his jaw.

Mizen and Bivand both pleaded not guilty to robbery but following a trial at Croydon Crown Court, they were found guilty and both were sentenced on February 8 to three years and six months in prison.

DC Kris Blamires, from Croydon CID who investigated the case said: “This was a nasty robbery where both the suspects assaulted the victim and left him with some long-lasting injuries to his jaw and foot, which is still having a negative impact on his personal and professional life.

“Both Mizen and Bivand repeatedly denied carrying out the robbery throughout the investigation and trial.

“But with the strong evidence from witnesses and the victim, they were convicted and will be spending a considerable time behind bars.”