Teen jailed after knives seized from Nottingham taxi stop
A teenager has been sentenced to eight months in prison after police seized two knives during a routine stop of a taxi in Nottingham city centre.
Specialist officers from Nottinghamshire Police’s knife crime team intercepted the vehicle on Whitechapel Street at around 12.10pm on 7 January 2025. Acting on suspicion following the occupants’ behaviour, the team pulled the taxi over for investigation.
Mohammed Moussa, 19, attempted to flee the scene but was swiftly detained. Upon searching, officers discovered a machete concealed in a sheath inside his waistband. Moussa was subsequently charged with possession of a knife in a public place.
Appearing before Nottingham Magistrates’ Court the following day, Moussa admitted to the offence and was handed an eight-month jail sentence.
Also present in the taxi was Laquarne Fogo, 20, of Cameron Road, Derby. Police searches uncovered a lock knife hidden in his undergarments. Fogo also pleaded guilty to knife possession and remains in custody, awaiting sentencing on 29 January 2025.
The case highlights the continued efforts of Nottinghamshire Police to tackle knife crime through proactive enforcement and swift action.
PC Ken Tinley, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This proactive vehicle stop has allowed us to seize and destroy two blades, and place two knife carriers before the courts.
“This is exactly the sort of outcome the knife crime team was established to achieve.
“Everything we do as a team is geared towards taking knives off the streets and bringing anyone who carries them to justice..
“There is never any excuse for anyone to be carrying a blade in public. It puts themselves and anyone they come into contact with at risk of harm.
“As this incident also highlights it can very quickly lead to you being put behind bars.”
