A man has been sentenced to five years and six months in prison for impersonating a taxi driver, kidnapping a woman, and coercing her to expose herself. Damian Watson, 36, targeted a woman outside Anfield Stadium in Liverpool by posing as her Uber driver. Once inside his white Mercedes van, Watson locked the doors and demanded that she reveal her breasts, holding her against her will for approximately 30 minutes. The incident occurred in a secluded alleyway, causing the victim distress as she realized she was not in the expected Uber ride. Despite her pleas to be taken to the city center, Watson persisted in his demands, eventually forcing the woman to comply out of fear for her safety.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Watson had premeditated the crime, actively seeking out a vulnerable female victim. The victim, feeling terrified and trapped, reluctantly followed Watson’s aggressive commands due to fear of further harm. Watson, who had no prior criminal record and worked as a newspaper delivery driver, expressed remorse through his defense attorney, emphasizing his caring nature towards his family.
The judge, Recorder Anna Pope KC, condemned Watson’s actions as deliberate and predatory, highlighting the victim’s courage in a harrowing situation. She emphasized the importance of women’s safety and handed Watson a significant prison sentence along with an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and lifetime registration on the sex offenders’ list. Watson, appearing via video link, showed visible distress during the court proceedings, acknowledging the severity of his crimes.