Posted on the 9th September 2025 in PHTM News

GANG KIDNAPS TERRIFIED CABBIE IN NEWCASTLE AT GUNPOINT IN TARGETED ATTACK

A gang from Gateshead kidnapped a terrified taxi driver and his passenger at gunpoint after blocking their taxi in the streets of Newcastle.

According to a Newcastle Crown Court hearing, the victim, a Syrian refugee, was driving his Suzuki taxi on August 24 of last year when a red Range Rover blocked his vehicle in Jesmond Vale.

Prosecutor Emma Dowling stated: "The men in the Range Rover were clearly expecting the men to be there. They had travelled from Chopwell to Jesmond to threaten and intimidate them."

The court heard that one of the assailants, Andrew Wright (centre), was in the driver's seat with "a realistic firearm" lying "casually" on his lap. The two victims were then taken "against their will" at gunpoint to Gateshead in the taxi.

Once in Gateshead, two of the kidnappers, Wright and Simon Walton (left), took the passenger into a flat. The taxi driver, however, was left in the car with another gang member, Scott Haug.

The court was told that a police car unexpectedly drove past, startling Haug, who then fled. This gave the taxi driver a chance to escape on foot.

Meanwhile, Wright and Walton left the flat with the passenger and returned to Chopwell in the taxi. The car was later found burned out near Winlaton.

The taxi driver, who suffered a head injury, reported the incident to police about an hour later. The court heard that he was a "distressed and fearful witness" and later withdrew his support for the prosecution.

The dash cam in the taxi, which the kidnappers initially believed was recording, only captured footage because they had touched it. It showed "how terrified" the victim was and how "close he was to the gun."

The motivation for the crime was likely financial gain, as Ms. Dowling said: "It does appear they were trying to obtain something from (the second man), probably money."

Wright, 33, of Hamsterley Colliery, was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison. He pleaded guilty to kidnap, possession of a firearm or imitation firearm, and driving while disqualified.

Walton, 34, of Chopwell, received a four-and-a-half-year sentence for kidnap.

A third gang member, Joseph Henderson, 28 (right), also of Chopwell, pleaded guilty to participating in an organised crime group for his role in driving the Range Rover. He was sentenced to two years in prison.

The fourth gang member, Scott Haug, who also pleaded guilty to kidnap, will be sentenced at a later date.

During the sentencing, Judge Gavin Doig described the incident as "serious offending. Planned, with weapons, carried out in daylight in the streets of Jesmond and Gateshead."


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