Illegal immigrant tried kidnapping girl, 17, off the street – then public stepped in | UK | News

A Sudanese national pleaded guilty to attempting to kidnap a 17-year-old girl while she was walking home from work. Abdulmawal Ibrahim Adam’s attempt to kidnap the young girl was stopped by the intervention of the public.

The 27-year-old, of Stanier Street in Swindon, Wiltshire, pleaded guilty at a hearing at Swindon Crown Court on Tuesday and was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on December 12. The man approached the girl on Princes Street in Swindon city center at around 9.30pm on March 6 and began speaking to her against her will. He then followed her and she tried to stop the passing vehicles, but none of them stopped.

When the teenager crossed the road, Adam ran towards him, grabbed him and dragged him across the road.

Wiltshire police said passengers on the bus intervened after it stopped at traffic lights and Adam ran down Princes Street and tried to have sex with another woman, trying to follow her before she walked away from him.

Police added that Adam then pursued a female witness who attempted a kidnapping before members of the public intervened again.

The victim’s mother reported the incident to the police later in the evening and Adam was arrested and charged with attempted kidnapping.

According to The Sun, Adam, from Darfur, Sudan, arrived in the UK illegally in September 2023.

The newspaper reported that in November of that year he pleaded guilty at Canterbury Crown Court to coming into the country “without a valid entry permit” and was sentenced to seven months in prison.

He was released from prison after completing his sentence, The Sun reported, adding that it was not known whether any conditions were attached to his release or whether he sought asylum.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs was contacted to clarify the issue.

A ministry spokesman said “we will always do everything we can” to deport foreign nationals who have “committed serious crimes in our country”.

After pleading guilty to attempted kidnapping, Wiltshire Police investigating officer Detective Constable Anna McCormack said: “This was a horrific incident for the victim and I appreciate the significant impact this will have on her moving forward.

“I would like to express my gratitude to him for his strength throughout the process.”

He also thanked the citizens who intervened in the incident.

Senior Crown Prosecutor Dale Sheehan, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Abdulmawal Ibrahim Adam preyed on a teenager as he walked home and put him through a harrowing ordeal after grabbing him from behind.

“The public stopped to help the victim, followed Adam and recorded footage of him.

“Their actions, along with the supporting evidence, were instrumental in securing the conviction.”