A Fife woman has been jailed after carrying out a string of violent robberies against taxi drivers in Kirkcaldy and Glenrothes.
Claire Duncan, 31, was sentenced to 40 months in prison at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court after admitting to three separate attacks over just six weeks. At the time, she was already subject to five separate bail orders.
Series of Attacks
The court heard how Duncan’s crime spree began on 2 April 2025, when she assaulted a male taxi driver. Depute Fiscal Sarah Smith said Duncan “seized him by the neck, holding a sharp object against his neck to his injury” before robbing him of £170.
On 9 May 2025, Duncan struck again – this time targeting a female taxi driver. She lunged at the driver, pressing a knife with a 12-inch blade to her neck. During the struggle that followed, Duncan escaped with almost £300 in takings.
Just three days later, on 12 May 2025, she attacked another male driver. Witnesses heard the victim shouting: “Let me go. She’s robbed me. Help!” as Duncan repeatedly struck and scratched him during an attempted robbery.
Defence and Sentencing
Defence solicitor David Bell said the crimes represented a “significant escalation” in Duncan’s behaviour, driven by her “descent into serious addiction to crack cocaine.” He admitted they were “terrible crimes” committed out of “desperation for money.”
Sheriff James Williamson agreed, describing the incidents as “truly terrible offences to put people through these traumatic experiences,” before sentencing Duncan to 40 months in custody.
Duncan is already serving a separate seven-month sentence for shoplifting and assault.
Fife Today
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