A man who impersonated a taxi driver to abduct a woman and coerced her into exposing herself has been sentenced to prison.
Damian Watson, 36, cruised around in his van searching for a vulnerable female before stopping near Anfield Stadium in Liverpool in April. A woman, who had attended an event at the stadium, hailed what she believed to be her Uber ride into Liverpool city center. She entered Watson’s white Mercedes van, mistaking it for her Uber.
Once inside, Watson, a newspaper delivery driver, locked the doors and demanded that she reveal her breasts, holding her against her will for approximately 30 minutes. Watson received a sentence of five years and six months at Liverpool Crown Court, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.
According to prosecutor Neil Bisarya, Watson strategically parked near the Shankly Gates to target a vulnerable lone female. During the journey, the victim became alarmed when she noticed the unfamiliar secluded alleyway where the van had stopped and received a notification that her Uber ride had been canceled. She questioned Watson about their location, to which he callously replied, “You’re in Bootle now, love.”
Despite her pleas to be taken to the city center, Watson persisted in demanding that she expose herself. The frightened woman attempted to unlock the door but found it secured, repeatedly begging to be released.
Watson aggressively repeated his demand four times and only agreed to let her go if she complied after unbuckling his seatbelt. The victim, feeling extremely scared and fearing further harm, reluctantly revealed her breasts under duress. Watson drove off but stopped again, insisting on a better view and causing distress to the victim until he finally ceased his demands.
The victim was then dropped off in the city center at the junction of Berry Street and Seel Street by Watson, who had surreptitiously recorded the ordeal using his mobile phone.
During interrogation, Watson admitted giving the woman a ride but denied making any sexual requests. Bisarya emphasized the premeditated nature of the incident, lasting about 20 to 25 minutes, and described it as a planned act targeting a vulnerable individual.
In his defense, David Woods portrayed Watson as a man of good character with no prior convictions, highlighting his occupation as a newspaper delivery driver to explain his presence in Liverpool. Woods argued that Watson’s actions were out of character and attributed them to unusual circumstances.
Watson pleaded guilty to kidnapping and causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent. While appearing via video-link from HMP Liverpool, he displayed remorse throughout the proceedings.
In her sentencing, Recorder Anna Pope KC condemned Watson’s deliberate targeting of a vulnerable victim and commended the victim’s bravery in a terrifying situation. She stressed the importance of women feeling safe on a night out and warned against severe repercussions for those who commit such offenses.
Apart from the prison term, Watson received an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and must register as a sex offender for life.