A Brighton man has pleaded guilty to kidnapping a woman in Hove after stopping her to ask for directions.
Cameron Boxall, 21, admitted to a charge of kidnap, along with multiple other offences including theft of a vehicle, theft from a vehicle, driving without a licence, driving without insurance, making off without payment, and possession of cannabis following the incident on 5 August last year.
The 20-year-old victim, a local woman, was walking home from work in the early hours when she noticed a black Mini sitting at the junction of Church Road and Palmeira Avenue. She later saw the same car on Selbourne Road, where the driver asked her for directions.
Without warning, the driver got out of the vehicle and forced her into the passenger seat. The woman bravely fought back, keeping her legs outside the car to prevent the door from closing as the suspect tried to drive away. After a short distance, the driver pushed her out and fled the scene. She immediately called for help, and police were alerted.
Officers identified the Mini as a stolen vehicle from Brighton, which had also been used for petrol theft in Woodingdean the same day. It was later recovered at 5:45pm on 5 August.
Boxall was arrested after police linked him to the crime through CCTV footage, location data from his mobile phone, and clothing matching the suspect’s description. He was charged and pleaded guilty to all offences at Hove Crown Court on 31 January.
He has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on 3 March.
