MAN JAILED FOR KIDNAPPING AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTING TEEN POSING AS UBER DRIVER
A teenager believed that she was getting into an Uber to take her to McDonald's but was instead abducted and sexually assaulted.Fitwi Tekeste, aged 29, from Park Road in Toxteth, was involved in a heinous incident where he orchestrated a deception that led the victim to believe she was in a safe taxi or Uber.
The incident occurred after the young woman, who had been out celebrating a friend's birthday in the city center, left a bar on Bold Street around 1am.
She attempted to book an Uber to meet her boyfriend at McDonald's in Huyton but was unable to get the ride.
CCTV footage showed her on Newington Street and walking near Bold Street before Tekeste, posing as a taxi driver, convinced her he was her transport.
The young woman entered his vehicle, believing it was her Uber, and was subjected to a two-hour nightmare journey along the M62, during which Tekeste repeatedly tried to sexually assault her.
He pulled over multiple times, tried to kiss her, touched her thigh, moved his hand towards her crotch, and forced her hand onto his genitals over his clothing.
Instead of taking her to McDonald's, he drove eastbound to Warrington and then back to Liverpool, finally dropping her at her partner’s home shortly before 3 am.
During the ordeal, she sent distress messages to her boyfriend, pleading for help.
The police were alerted when her boyfriend tracked her location through her phone, resulting in Tekeste's arrest.
He claimed to have been unaware of her identity and events, stating he believed she was his Uber passenger.
Tekeste has no previous convictions.
During trial, the court heard that Tekeste had a difficult background and came from Eritrea, where he experienced hardship and years of forced military service.
He admitted to one count of sexual assault with a further count of kidnap to lie on the file and was sentenced to 45 months in prison.
The judge described Tekeste's actions as taking advantage of the victim’s vulnerability and deception, emphasizing that she thought he was her Uber.
The court also imposed a seven-year restraining order and a lifetime registration on the sex offenders' register.
The victim expressed her feelings of anger, sadness, and ongoing anxiety, highlighting the profound impact the incident has had on her life and career.
