Damien Watson

Damian Watson, 36, of School Close, Liscard, has been sentenced to five years and six months in prison for kidnapping and causing a person to engage in sexual activity against their will.

Key Facts and Proceedings:

• Incident Date: April 2026.
• Location: Anfield area of Liverpool, UK.
• Details: Watson posed as an Uber taxi driver in his white Mercedes van and picked up a woman who had ordered an Uber. During the journey, he drove to alleyways, held the woman captive for nearly half an hour, and aggressively demanded she remove her clothing, which he filmed. The victim eventually pretended to hyperventilate, leading Watson to drive her back to the city centre.
• Arrest and Charges: Police traced Watson through a 999 call made by the victim and found his phone and another device with recordings of the incident. He was charged with kidnapping, voyeurism, false imprisonment, and causing a person to engage in sexual activity against their will.
• Plea: Watson initially denied the charges but, at a pre-trial hearing on May 29, 2026, he pleaded guilty to kidnapping and causing a person to engage in sexual activity against their will. The charges of voyeurism and false imprisonment were left on file.
• Sentencing: On June 26, 2026, at Liverpool Crown Court, Watson was sentenced to five years and six months in prison. The court also ordered the seizure and destruction of his phones.
• Background: Watson had no previous convictions and was employed as a newspaper delivery driver. The Crown Prosecution Service described him as a "predatory offender" who exploited the victim's trust.