Ordeal of Maidstone mum held in car by ex-lover before dialling 999
Cherokee Chadwick was
driven along the M20 and M25 by her former partner
by Julia Roberts
A woman driven around Kent against her will by her former
partner alerted police to her ordeal by dialling 999, a court heard
today Monday.
Cherokee Chadwick had accepted a lift home from Maidstone town
centre from her ex-boyfriend Daniel Gray, 27.
But Maidstone Crown Court heard an argument broke out between
the pair and, despite her pleas to be taken home, Gray set off
along the M20 and M25 motorways.
During the journey in the early hours of September 8 last year
Miss Chadwick, who had been in a relationship with Gray for three
years and had a child together, managed to phone the police.
The court was told the call was terminated when Gray grabbed the
phone from her. However, he did not know she had made the emergency
call and was said to be shocked when police called back.
Prosecutor Dominic Connolly said a police officer could hear
Miss Chadwick "hysterical and crying and extremely
distressed".
Gray, who had answered the call, was described as being "very
agitated and worked up".
During a series of calls the officer asked Gray to meet so he
could check everything was okay.
The court also heard that about an hour after Miss Chadwick had
got into Gray's car, her father had himself made a 999 call.
"The officer phoned Gray again," said Mr Connolly. "He could
hear Miss Chadwick crying in the background and saying: 'Please
just take me home. I just want to go home.'
"Gray could be heard seeking reassurance that she would not make
allegations against him."
The prosecutor said Gray eventually calmed down. "He finally
accepted the inevitable that he had no option but to return Miss
Chadwick."
Gray, of Bristol Close, Rochester, denied kidnap but admitted
false imprisonment. His pleas were accepted by the prosecution.
Judge Martin Joy adjourned sentence for reports but told the
self-employed damp proofer that a prison sentence "appeared to be
inevitable".
He was remanded in custody until March 25.
26/02/13
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