How Police caught Fake Taxi Driver trying to Kidnap Lone Woman

A man who posed as a taxi driver to kidnap a drunk woman has been jailed after police intervened moments before he drove away.

Kuldip Chahal approached the woman after she became separated from friends during a night out in Newcastle city centre on December 21, 2025.

He was convicted of kidnap following a one-week trial at Newcastle Crown Court in May.

Chahal has now been sentenced to seven years in prison, with an extended licence period of three years, and made subject to a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

The case highlights how police surveillance prevented what officers believe could have become an even more serious offence.

CCTV and Police Surveillance

The incident unfolded at around 2:20 am when the woman was waiting for a taxi after becoming separated from her friends.

Chahal approached her as she sat on the ground before helping her to her feet and placing his arm around her.

He then guided her to his VW Golf, parked 10 minutes away on Fenkle Street.

CCTV footage captured him putting the woman into the front passenger seat before walking around to the driver’s side.

Unbeknown to Chahal, officers monitoring Newcastle city centre CCTV as part of Northumbria Police’s Operation Salus had been watching his movements.

Suspecting the woman was vulnerable and at risk, they directed officers on the ground to intercept the vehicle before it could leave.

The intervention led to Chahal’s arrest, and he was later found guilty of kidnap.

During the trial, the woman described how the incident had permanently changed her life.

She said: “Before this happened, I was a confident and sociable young woman who enjoyed spending time with my friends.

“I never imagined that something so frightening could happen to me whilst simply spending time with friends. What happened that night has changed me.

“Since that night, I have struggled to feel safe in situations that I previously would not have thought twice about.”

“The thing I struggle with most is knowing that I was vulnerable and that somebody chose to take advantage of that vulnerability. I was a young woman trying to get home after a night out with friends.

“Instead, I became the target of a man more than twice my age who saw my vulnerability and chose to exploit it. I was not seen as a person. I was seen as an opportunity. That is something I find incredibly difficult to come to terms with.”

The woman said the emotional impact has continued long after the attack.

She added: “What hurts most is that I no longer feel like the same person I was before this happened.

“I feel angry that somebody else’s choices have changed so much for me. I feel angry that I lost confidence in myself.

“I feel angry that I missed important moments with my friends because of the anxiety this has caused me. I feel angry that I now think twice about doing things that used to make me happy.”

Identifying the Danger Quickly

Detective Constable Courtney Cran, who led the investigation for Newcastle CID, praised the survivor for her bravery.

She said: “Firstly, I would like to commend the victim-survivor, who has shown immense bravery, resilience, and composure throughout the full investigation and the lengthy criminal proceedings that followed.”

Speaking about Chahal, Detective Constable Cran added:

“Chahal is a predatory individual who deliberately targeted a lone, vulnerable young woman who was simply trying to get home safely after a night out with friends.

“He showed absolutely no regard for her welfare or the devastating impact his actions would have, repeatedly denying any wrongdoing and forcing her to relive her trauma during the trial.

“Working alongside neighbourhood policing colleagues and key partners, I was quickly able to unravel Chahal’s web of lies and present clear evidence of his intentions that evening.”

Police said Chahal had no idea he was being observed as part of Operation Salus, an initiative that identifies women who may be at risk during the night-time economy.

Detective Constable Cran added: “Operation Salus exists to identify vulnerability, with officers on hand to intervene in any situations which appear concerning or unsafe in the city centre.

“Thanks to the vigilance of officers that evening, who saw something was not quite right, they were quickly able to intervene and bring Chahal to a stop.”

The case demonstrates how proactive CCTV monitoring and rapid police intervention prevented a vulnerable woman from being driven away, leading to Chahal’s conviction and imprisonment.