A VULNERABLE 19-year-old woman suffered a ‘violent and frightening ordeal’ when she was kidnapped, assaulted and robbed by two women who ‘took pleasure’ in their actions.
Amy Harris, 26, of Easenhall Road, Harborough Magna, and a 19-year-old woman who cannot be named for legal reasons, were sentenced at Warwick Crown Court on March 16 after pleading guilty to kidnap, robbery and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Harris also pleaded guilty to making threats to kill and was sentenced to 42 months in prison for the offences, to run concurrently.
The 19-year-old defendant was given a community order for 12 months, with a 40 day supervision requirement.
Both defendants were also given restraining orders for an indefinite time, preventing any contact with the victim.
The court heard how, on February 24 2015, Harris and her co-defendant were involved in a dispute with the victim, a vulnerable 19-year-old woman who was known to the offenders.
The victim was driven from Coventry to Brinklow Marina in Rugby, where she was assaulted and robbed of her mobile phone.
She was helped by residents of nearby narrow boats, who found her in a highly distressed state.
Judge Sylvia de Bertodano said of the defendants: “You committed a number of serious offences, which had a serious affect on the victim’s vulnerability.
“The fact is evidenced, you took pleasure in the committing of those offences.
“The psychological damaged caused will affect her for the rest of her life.
“This was a horrific, shocking and prolonged offence against a vulnerable teenager. People who commit these types of offences must go to prison.”
Investigating officer PSI Marcella Forrest of Rugby CID said: “This vulnerable adult was subjected to a violent and frightening ordeal, which still has a significant impact on her.
“She has shown true courage in reporting this crime and supporting the investigation and I cannot praise her bravery enough.
“Warwickshire Police is committed to supporting victims of all crime, including vulnerable adults and I hope the conviction and sentencing of the defendants sends out a clear message.”
