A man charged with stabbing and robbing a taxi driver in Buckshaw Village, near Leyland, has been transferred to a secure mental health hospital while the courts consider his sentence.
Phillip Dookie, 45, of Preston, appeared before Judge Andrew Jefferies KC at Preston Crown Court via video link on Tuesday, 2 September. He faces charges of robbery, Section 18 wounding with intent, and possession of a knife.
Attack on Taxi Driver
The case relates to an incident in February when a taxi driver reported being attacked and robbed in Buckshaw Village. Police later arrested Dookie alongside two co-defendants—a 37-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman—who were also at the scene.
All three were charged with robbing the driver of £70 in cash and a mobile phone. Dookie alone faces the additional charge of wounding with intent.
During the court hearing, it was revealed that the Home Secretary had authorised Dookie’s transfer from prison to a secure unit for psychiatric treatment.
Judge Awaits Medical Reports
Judge Jefferies adjourned the case until 3 December, explaining that he required more detailed reports from doctors before making a decision.
The court heard that Dookie has been diagnosed with a treatment-resistant form of paranoid schizophrenia. The judge told the court:
“I would like one of the doctors to explain to me what that means. I don’t know whether an appropriate sentence is a hospital order, a hospital order with restrictions, or prison. So in order to make an informed decision, further reports have to be done.”
Taxi Driver’s Livelihood at Risk
The taxi driver involved has since expressed fears about working at night, stating the incident has left him anxious about continuing in the profession.
Dookie, however, claimed during proceedings that he only brandished the knife to protect his girlfriend from the driver.
Next Steps
Dookie remains remanded in custody and is due to reappear at Preston Crown Court via video link for sentencing on 3 December.
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