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Fake cab driver to be sentenced for kidnapping woman

Grant McCluskey was charged with kidnap after a woman was taken in a car to Pilling Park in Norwich from the city <i>(Image: Newsquest)</i>
Grant McCluskey was charged with kidnap after a woman was taken in a car to Pilling Park in Norwich from the city (Image: Newsquest)

A man who posed as a taxi driver to pick up a woman is to be sentenced after he admitted kidnapping her.

Grant McCluskey, 38, is due to appear at Norwich Crown Court on Monday (March 27) after he admitted kidnap and another charge of committing an offence with an intention to commit a sexual offence.

Eastern Daily Press:
Eastern Daily Press:

It follows an incident on May 21 last year when McCluskey claimed to be providing a taxi service when he picked up the woman and a man on Riverside Road, Norwich.

When the man got out to withdraw cash on Plumstead Road for the fare, the driver left with the female passenger and police were alerted.

Officers, who had been called at about 5.10am, traced the vehicle to a car park on Pilling Park Road at 6.15am - just over an hour later.

Eastern Daily Press:
Eastern Daily Press:

The woman, who was safe, was found by police.

McCluskey, formerly of Cedar Road, Norwich, admitted the offences when he last appeared before the crown court in November last year.

Will Carter, who was prosecuting at the time of the last hearing, said he had been told by barristers representing McCluskey that "those pleas were likely to be forthcoming".

Matthew McNiff, representing McCluskey, said owing to the nature of the offences he suspected the court would want reports, including an assessment of his dangerousness, to be carried out.

Judge Anthony Bate, who has reserved the case to himself, asked for pre-sentence reports, including "a risk assessment on the question of dangerousness", to be carried out prior to sentence.

McCluskey had initially been charged with kidnap, kidnap with intent to commit a sexual offence and administering a substance with intent to overpower.

But pleas put forward by the defendant on the last occasion were deemed as being "acceptable" by the prosecution.