A CAR thief has admitted kidnapping a woman off the street after asking her for directions.
Cameron Boxhall, 21, who was driving a Mini he had earlier stolen, pushed the young woman into the passenger seat and tried to drive off with her.
Google mapsThe woman she saw the black Mini on Selbourne Road in Hove[/caption]
However, the 20-year-old victim managed to keep her legs outside the open door until eventually Boxhall pushed her out and sped off.
A court heard that Boxhall did not have a driving licence or insurance and had stolen the black car earlier in the evening on August 5 from Brighton, East Sussex.
At Hove Crown Court on Friday Boxhall admitted a charge of kidnap as well as theft of a vehicle, theft from a vehicle, driving without a licence, driving without insurance, making off without payment, and possession of cannabis.
He has been remanded in custody to be sentenced on March 3.
Sussex Police said that the kidnap happened in nearby Hove.
A spokesperson continued: “The victim, a 20-year-old local woman, was walking home from work in the early hours of the morning when she noticed a black Mini sitting at the junction of Church Road and Palmeira Avenue.
“She continued onto Selbourne Road, where she saw the black Mini again.
“This time, the driver opened the passenger door and asked the victim for directions, which she provided.
“Without warning, the driver then exited the vehicle and forced the woman into the passenger seat of the car.
“She bravely fought back, ensuring her legs stayed outside of the vehicle so the car door remained open as the suspect tried to drive away.
“After a short distance, the driver pushed the victim out of the car and sped off from the scene.
“The victim called for help from members of the public nearby, and police were called.
“Officers began an immediate search for the vehicle and inquiries quickly identified it had been stolen from Brighton the previous evening, and was also used to steal petrol from a garage in Woodingdean later that same day.
“The Mini was found and recovered around 5.45pm on August 5.
Man pleads guilty to kidnapping woman
Detective Inspector Duncan Elliott, from the Surrey and Sussex Police Major Crime Team, led the investigation.
He said: “This was an incredibly distressing incident for the victim and I commend her for the immense strength and bravery she showed throughout the ordeal and during our subsequent investigation.
“With the details she was able to give us, combined with our own police intelligence and urgent house-to-house and CCTV inquiries, we swiftly identified Boxall as the suspect and brought him into custody.
“We built a strong evidential case which, when presented to the court, resulted in a guilty plea and ensured a dangerous and predatory offender has been caught.”
“He was arrested and found to be in possession of clothing matching that of the Mini driver in CCTV footage.
“Location data from his mobile phone also put him at close proximity of the scene at the time of the offence.
“Boxall, formerly of Carden Hill, Brighton, was charged and admitted all offences when he appeared at Hove Crown Court.
“He has been remanded in custody to be sentenced on March 3.”
Sussex PoliceCameron Boxhall, 21, kidnapped a woman off the street after asking her for directions[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
