A man who brazenly attempted to kidnap a teenage girl from a supermarket car park in broad daylight has been sentenced to 21 months behind bars.
The shocking incident unfolded on the afternoon of 17th February at the Tesco store in Epping, Essex. The court heard how Kenyawi Nggadas, 25, targeted his 17-year-old victim as she walked through the car park.
In a terrifying ordeal, Nggadas grabbed the girl and attempted to force her towards a waiting vehicle. His plan was foiled only by the teenager's immense bravery and quick thinking, as she screamed and fought back against her assailant, causing him to flee the scene.
Investigators from Essex Police launched a swift manhunt. Their breakthrough came after a meticulous review of CCTV footage from the area, which captured the entire attack and provided clear images of the perpetrator.
Nggadas, who had travelled from his home in Kenya, was subsequently tracked down and arrested. He was charged with attempted kidnap and later pleaded guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court.
In addition to his 21-month prison sentence, Nggadas was also handed a 10-year restraining order against the victim.
Detective Sergeant Farihann Ali, from the West Safeguarding Team, praised the victim's courage: "This was a terrifying experience for a young girl who was simply going about her day. Her bravery in fighting back and helping our investigation cannot be understated. We hope the sentence provides her with some sense of justice and closure."
The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of public vigilance and the critical role that security infrastructure, like CCTV, plays in modern policing and bringing criminals to justice.
