Kuldip Chahal, 51, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for the kidnapping of a woman he approached in Newcastle city centre in the early hours of December 21 last year. He will also serve an extended three-year license period and is subject to a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Chahal was found guilty of kidnap following a one-week trial at Newcastle Crown Court in May. CCTV footage captured the moment he approached the intoxicated woman, who had become separated from her friends, as she waited for a taxi around 2:20 a.m. He was seen helping her up from the pavement before guiding her towards his white Volkswagen Golf. Bystanders were present nearby as Chahal placed the woman in the passenger seat and moved to the driver's side.
Officers monitoring the CCTV feed observed Chahal's actions and directed patrol units to intercept the vehicle before it could leave. Bodycam footage showed officers confronting Chahal, who claimed he was taking the woman to meet her friend at a pre-arranged 'safe' location outside a hotel. He stated he had met her earlier that evening at a pub.
By 3:15 a.m., police arrested Chahal. During the trial, the victim testified about the profound impact the incident had on her. She described herself as a confident and sociable young woman prior to the event and stated that she now struggles to feel safe in situations she previously navigated without concern. She expressed anger that her vulnerability was exploited and that her choices have significantly altered her life, leading to anxiety and missed social engagements.
Prosecutor Nicoleta Alistari noted that Chahal's actions appeared planned, pointing to a lanyard he was wearing, suggesting he intended to present himself as a legitimate taxi driver. Judge Gavin Doig remarked that Chahal was actively seeking an intoxicated individual and saw her vulnerability as an opportunity rather than a situation requiring help. The judge commended the police for their swift intervention.
Detective Constable Courtney Cran, who led the investigation, praised the victim's bravery and described Chahal as a predatory individual. "He showed absolutely no regard for her welfare or the devastating impact his actions would have, repeatedly denying any wrongdoing and forcing her to relive her trauma during the trial," Cran stated. The investigation was part of Northumbria Police's Operation Salus, designed to identify and assist vulnerable women at night.