HA NOI (VNS)— The People's Court in the capital sentenced a taxi driver to three years and six months' imprisonment on robbery charges yesterday.

The driver, Nguyen Van Tien, 38, from northern Hung Yen Province's Hung Yen Town, charged 27-year-old Xiechao Yang of China US$600 for a taxi ride from the Old Quarter's Hang Bac Street to a sauna restaurant in Hang Muoi Street, and from the restaurant to his hotel in Hoan Kiem District's Tho Xuong Street – over 200 times the regulated fare.

According to the verdict, Tien locked the car door, threatened the tourist and stole over VND23 million ($1,100) after the tourist did not agree to pay the charge and only gave the driver VND200,000 ($9.5).

The tourist reported the incident to local police. — VNS