ISAAC MABWA SENTENCED IN LONDON FOR KIDNAPPING AND GESTURE OF DANGER

A man who falsely presented himself as a taxi driver and subsequently kidnapped a woman in central London has been sentenced to prison after an investigation conducted by the Metropolitan Police. Isaac Mabwa, aged 33 (born 13 June 1988), of Melville Avenue in Ealing, received a nine-year term at Wood Green Crown Court on Monday, 29 November, and was also ordered to be placed on the sex offenders register for life.

Mabwa had previously been convicted of charges including kidnapping, false imprisonment, and attempting to commit a sexual offence at Harrow Crown Court on Tuesday, 24 August.

The incident took place in the early hours of 8 May 2017 when Mabwa was driving a hire car through central London. He encountered a 25-year-old woman walking along Euston Road and stopped his vehicle, offering her a ride home. Believing she was getting into a taxi or minicab, the victim agreed and entered the car; however, she quickly realized something was amiss when Mabwa began driving in the wrong direction, away from her residential area.

During the journey, the woman attempted multiple times to exit the vehicle, but Mabwa prevented her. She managed to send messages to her boyfriend and a friend, sharing her location for safety. After about 90 minutes, Mabwa stopped at a poorly lit car park, where the woman started to scream for help. Her cries attracted the attention of a passerby, allowing her to escape from the car.

Shortly after her escape, Mabwa drove off from the scene, but officers detained him shortly thereafter. A lengthy and complex investigation led to his being charged in April 2020.

Detective Constable Natalie Witt, involved in the case, commented: "This was a terrifying experience for the young woman involved, who was targeted while walking home from a night out. Her bravery and support for the investigation means Isaac Mabwa is no longer a risk to other women. While today is not a day to celebrate, I hope the sentence provides her some closure."

She also addressed community concerns, stating, "I recognize that details of this awful crime will cause fear among the community, particularly women, and I would like to reassure you that the Met is doing everything it can to make the streets of London safer for everyone."