HOPE HE CAN HACK A LONG PRISON STAY

Prosecutors say a South Jersey man who assaulted two female taxi drivers at knifepoint in 2006 has been sentenced to 23 years in prison.

Jason Handy, 33, of Blackwood, must serve 85 percent of the sentence before he becomes eligible for parole. He pleaded guilty in October to kidnapping and carjacking charges.

Camden County prosecutors say the first attack occurred in March 2006 in Gloucester Township, when Handy bound and gagged the driver and stuffed her in the cab's trunk. He then drove the taxi to Camden and abandoned it with the woman still locked in the trunk.

The next attack occurred in May 2006 in Lindenwold. That driver escaped as Handy tried to stuff her into the trunk.

Both drivers were eventually able to free themselves.