TWO young thugs face being locked up for trying to rob a woman taxi driver after CS gas was sprayed in her face.

Amanda Murray gave up her part-time job after the terrifying attack in Minster, near Sheerness, earlier this year. Maidstone Crown Court heard that she was working for Royal Taxis in Blue Town, Sheerness, during the evening of March 9 when she received a call to go to Fleetwood Close.

Adaku Oragwu, prosecuting, said the cabbie arrived at the house to find it in darkness. Grant Wake and Victor Joy were on the drive outside.

Wake approached and soon afterwards ran towards Mrs Murray, shouting and swearing. He thrust his hand in the car window and sprayed CS gas in her face, stinging her eyes.

She managed to radio her controller, giving her call sign and shouting: “I am being attacked.”

Wake opened the driver’s door and sprayed her in the face again. Joy was standing behind him.

Mrs Murray then felt one of them tugging at a money belt, containing about £60, around her waist. The robbery failed, despite rough attempts to grab the bag.

After they ran off, the police, members of Mrs Murray’s family and her taxi boss arrived at the scene.

Miss Oragwu said the victim was taken on a “drive round” and she spotted Wake and Joy in Minster Broadway. Joy threw the CS gas canister on to a roof.

Mrs Murray was able to identify Wake, 18, and she recognised Joy, 17, as a passenger she said had failed to pay his fare a week earlier.

Wake, of Birch House, Hope Street, Sheerness, and Joy, of Windmill Rise, Minster, denied attempted robbery. Wake also denied possessing CS gas and Joy denied making off without paying.

Joy was cleared of making off, but he and Wake were convicted of all other charges.

Adjourning sentence until December 15, Judge Charles MacDonald said: “My provisional view is that both of these defendants are going to be dealt with by means of a significant custodial sentence.”

Wake was remanded in custody. Joy was granted bail.