Damian Watson, 36, has been sentenced to five years and six months in prison after posing as an Uber taxi driver to kidnap a woman outside Anfield Stadium and force her to expose herself. The incident occurred in April when the victim attended an event at the stadium and mistakenly entered Watson's white Mercedes van, believing it to be her booked Uber.
Planned Attack on Vulnerable Victim
Prosecutor Neil Bisarya told Liverpool Crown Court that Watson had parked near the Shankly Gates, actively looking for a vulnerable lone female to target. Once inside the van, Watson locked the doors and demanded the victim expose her breasts, keeping her captive for approximately 20 to 25 minutes. The court heard that the victim became alarmed when she received a notification that her Uber had been cancelled and realized she was in an unfamiliar location. When she asked where she was, Watson replied, "You're in Bootle now, love."
Despite her requests to be taken to the city centre, Watson turned to her and aggressively demanded she expose herself. The panicked woman tried to open the door but found it locked and repeatedly pleaded to be let out. Watson repeated his demand four times before unbuckling his seatbelt and telling her he would let her out if she complied.
Victim Feared Rape
The court heard that the extremely scared victim complied under duress because she feared Watson would rape her. After the first exposure, Watson drove off and repeated the demand, stopping the van again. The victim exposed herself a second time under fear and duress. Watson was not satisfied with the view and asked her to move so he could see better. He only stopped making demands when the victim became distressed and hyperventilating.
Watson later drove her into the city centre and released her at the junction of Berry Street and Seel Street. It emerged that he had filmed the incident by attaching his mobile phone to the centre console.
Defence Claims Good Character
In interview, Watson admitted giving the woman a lift but denied making sexual requests. However, he later pleaded guilty to kidnap and causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent. Appearing via video-link from HMP Liverpool, he held his head in his hands throughout the hearing.
David Woods, defending, described Watson as a man of good character with no previous convictions, who worked as a newspaper delivery driver. He argued that Watson's presence near Anfield was due to his work schedule and that he showed remorse when the victim became upset, driving her back to the city centre instead of abandoning her.
Judge Condemns Pre-Planned Offending
Sentencing, Recorder Anna Pope KC said: "I am satisfied that, on that night, you were out on your own, looking to find a lone female against whom to commit a sexual offence. You prepared for your offending by setting up your mobile phone, so that the camera was facing the back seat. This demonstrates to me a significant degree of pre-planning in your offending."
She added: "It is clear to me that your victim was terrified. Your victim showed incredible courage and fortitude. She can only be commended for the way in which she dealt with a frightening situation. She thought, that night, that you were going to rape her. The doors were locked. She was trapped in a vehicle with you. I take the view that this was deliberate targeting of a particularly vulnerable victim."
Ms Pope concluded: "Women on a night out in Liverpool have every right to feel safe. Anyone who seeks out lone women then goes on to commit serious offences can expect significant punishment."
Watson was also handed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and will be required to sign the sex offenders' register for life.
