Greenford Man Convicted of Kidnapping Woman | |
Isaac Mabwa submitted victim to terrifying ordeal
A 33-year-old man from Greenford has been convicted of kidnap and false imprisonment after picking up a woman who thought he was a mini-cab driver. Isaac Mabwa of Melville Avenue drove his terrified victim around for over an hour and a half before taking her to an unlit car park. The court heard that in the early hours of 8 May 2017, Mabwa was driving a hire car in central London when he saw the 25-year-old woman walking along the Euston Road trying to find a taxi. He stopped and offered to give her a lift home, she accepted in the belief he was driving a taxi. He then drove her around preventing her from leaving the vehicle. She was able to message her boyfriend and friend during the journey and she sent her location so they could find her. Mabwa eventually pulled the car into an unlit car park. The victim’s screams alerted a member of the public and the police were called. Meanwhile the woman had managed to escape the vehicle. Mabwa left the car park in the vehicle and was detained by police a short time later. Following what police describe as a complex and lengthy investigation, detectives charged Mabwa in April 2020. He had pleaded not guilty to four charges at the beginning of his trial on Monday, 16 August. He was convicted at Harrow Crown Court on Tuesday, 24 August of kidnap, false imprisonment and committing an offence (false imprisonment) with intent to commit a sexual offence. He was found not guilty of sexual assault. Detective Chief Inspector Andy Brien, said: “This case is an example of the tireless efforts made by our officers to bring offenders such as Isaac Mabwa, who commit violent offences against women and girls, to justice. “We encourage anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence to come forward and speak to police. You will be supported by specially trained officers throughout the investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings.”
August 25, 2021 |