A man who kidnapped a young woman in Hove after asking her for directions has been jailed for five years.
Cameron Boxall, 22, put his victim through a terrifying ordeal after forcing her into a stolen car and attempting to drive off. He was sentenced at Brighton Crown Court on Friday, 9 May, after previously admitting multiple offences, including kidnap.
The incident occurred in the early hours of 5 August last year when the 20-year-old woman was walking home from work. She first noticed a black Mini parked at the junction of Church Road and Palmeira Avenue. Moments later, she saw the same car again on Selbourne Road, where the driver, later identified as Boxall, asked her for directions.
Without warning, Boxall got out of the vehicle and forced the woman into the passenger seat. Despite the terrifying situation, the victim bravely fought back, managing to keep her legs outside the car to prevent the door from closing. After a short distance, Boxall pushed her out of the vehicle and drove off. The victim quickly sought help from nearby members of the public, and police were called.
A major investigation was launched by Sussex Police’s Major Crime Team. Detectives quickly discovered the Mini had been stolen from Brighton the previous evening, and Boxall had fitted it with stolen number plates. The same vehicle was also used to steal fuel from a garage in Woodingdean later that day.
The Mini was recovered at around 5.45pm on the same day, but the search for the suspect continued. Officers conducted an intensive investigation, visiting more than 700 addresses across five locations in Brighton and reviewing hours of CCTV footage. One clip captured Boxall buying gloves believed to have been used during the offences.
Boxall was arrested and found with clothing matching that worn by the Mini’s driver in the CCTV footage. Location data from his mobile phone also placed him near the scene of the crime at the relevant time.
Despite initially denying any involvement and providing several false accounts, Boxall eventually admitted to a series of offences, including kidnap, vehicle theft, theft from a vehicle, driving without a licence, driving without insurance, making off without payment, and possession of cannabis. He was remanded in custody following his guilty plea at Hove Crown Court on 31 January and sentenced this week.
The court heard how the swift actions of the victim and the tireless efforts of police officers led to his arrest and conviction, removing a dangerous predator from the streets.
Boxall, previously of Carden Hill, Brighton, will serve five years in prison.
