Seven year sentence for predator who posed as taxi driver in Newcastle

A man who posed as a taxi driver and attempted to abduct a woman in Newcastle has been sentenced to seven years in prison.

Kuldip Chahal, of Plessey Road, Blyth, was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court after a jury found him guilty of kidnap in May.

The incident took place on 20th December 2025 when a woman in her 20s, enjoying a night out on the Groat Market, became separated from her friends while booking a taxi home.

Chahal approached her, and after physically guiding her through the streets for about 10 minutes, he forced her into his white Volkswagen Golf on Fenkle Street.

However, Chahal was already under observation by Operation Salus, a police initiative designed to identify and intervene in situations of vulnerability in the night-time economy.

Officers monitoring city centre CCTV swiftly stopped the vehicle, ensured the woman's safety, and arrested Chahal.

Further investigations revealed Chahal was not a licensed taxi driver and had approached other women in the area.

Chahal's actions were captured on CCTV, which helped lead to his arrest and subsequent charge.

Newcastle CID Detective Constable Courtney Cran commended the victim for her bravery during the investigation and trial:

“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,” she said.

Chahal received an extended licence period of three years alongside his prison term and a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The victim expressed how the event significantly impacted her confidence and sense of safety.

She shared in her impact statement: “Before this happened, I was a confident and sociable young woman who enjoyed spending time with my friends.”

Operation Salus continually works to identify vulnerabilities and intervene in concerning situations within Newcastle city centre.

Detective Constable Cran highlighted the importance of proactive operations in tackling suspicious activities.

“This case demonstrates exactly why proactive operations such as Operation Salus are so important,” she said.

“While incidents of this nature remain rare, we regularly deploy tactics to identify anyone who is vulnerable, especially after a night out.”

Chahal's sentence aims to offer some semblance of justice to the victim while underscoring the importance of safety measures within city centres.

Northumbria Police encourage the public to report any suspicious behaviour, contact officers on duty, or use their website, social media, and call services.

In emergencies, the public should dial 999.

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