Damien Watson, 36, of no fixed address but formerly of Liscard, Wirral, was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday after admitting kidnap and causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.
Predatory behaviour near Anfield
Watson drove around Liverpool in his white van, targeting vulnerable women. He parked outside Liverpool FC's Anfield stadium, where a woman who had booked an Uber into the city centre mistakenly entered his van. CCTV footage showed Watson driving around the city centre before heading to the stadium, described by prosecutors as 'looking for a vulnerable female to target and to commit a sexual offence'.
Neil Bisarya, prosecuting, told the court: 'The crown's case is that he was looking for a vulnerable lone female to target, pretending to be a taxi. That was why he was waiting there.'
Victim trapped and coerced
The woman, who had attended an event at Anfield, got into Watson's van believing it was her Uber. He drove her to a secluded alleyway in Bootle. She received a notification that her Uber had been cancelled, causing alarm. When she asked where she was, Watson replied: 'You're in Bootle now love.' She then requested to be taken to the city centre, but Watson instead demanded she expose herself. The victim found the doors locked and, despite pleading, Watson repeated his demand aggressively four times before unbuckling his seatbelt. Under duress and fearing rape, she complied. He then drove off and stopped again, asking her to expose herself a second time, telling her he 'wouldn't touch her'. When she became distressed and hyperventilated, he stopped and drove her to the junction of Berry Street and Seel Street, where she was released.
Mr Bisarya said: 'She looked out of the window and did not recognise where she was. In addition, she got a notification saying that her Uber had been cancelled.' He added: 'This was not opportunistic. It was planned, searching for a vulnerable female.'
Camera set up for sexual pleasure
Watson had attached his mobile phone to the centre console to film the incident. In interview, he initially denied making sexual requests. The court heard he had no previous convictions.
David Woods, defending, said: 'He is a man of good character and a man with pro-social attitudes. He has worked continuously since he left school. He is extremely remorseful and sorry that he has acted in this way.' Woods noted that Watson had been grieving for a friend who died unexpectedly, which may have affected his behaviour, but added: 'It is, of course, no excuse, but it is perhaps some explanation.'
Judge condemns predatory behaviour
Recorder Anna Pope KC, sentencing, 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: 'Your victim showed incredible courage and fortitude. She thought, that night, that you were going to rape her. 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 must sign the sex offenders' register for life.
