A man who posed as a taxi driver to kidnap a vulnerable woman in Newcastle city centre has been jailed for seven years, in a case that highlights exactly why passengers should always book through licensed operators.
Kuldip Chahal, 51, of Blyth, approached the woman in the early hours of 21 December last year, after she’d become separated from friends in the Groat Market area and was waiting for a pre-booked taxi. Chahal picked her up from the ground, put his arm around her, and guided her through crowded streets for around ten minutes towards his car on Fenkle Street, telling her he was taking her home. He forced her into the front passenger seat of his white Volkswagen Golf.
Unknown to Chahal, plain clothes and uniformed officers were already watching him as part of Operation Salus, a Northumbria Police initiative aimed at identifying vulnerable people in the night-time economy. Officers intervened before he could drive off, and the woman was safeguarded within minutes once it became clear she had no idea who Chahal was.
Further inquiries established that Chahal was not a licensed taxi driver, and that he had approached several other women in the city centre before targeting his victim. He denied the offence but was found guilty of kidnap following a week-long trial at Newcastle Crown Court in May, and was sentenced on 9 July to seven years in prison, with an extended licence period of three years and a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
In a victim impact statement, the woman said her confidence, independence and sense of safety had been significantly affected, adding that what happened that night had changed her.
Detective Constable Courtney Cran, who led the investigation, praised the woman’s bravery throughout the case and said the outcome should serve as a warning about the dangers of unlicensed and fake taxi drivers operating in the night-time economy.
Thanks for visiting DM News! If you’ve got a question, a story tip, or anything you’d like to share, head over to DriverMatty.com — I love to hear from you. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out my other websites and social media channels. If you’re a licensed driver looking to simplify your admin, DM Taxi Assistant is worth a look.
Sources:
