Taxi driver helped robber who kidnapped victim

POLICE have appealed for sightings of a "dangerous" offender who skipped bail after being charged with kidnap and robbery.

Guled Aidid, aged 39, has been sentenced in his absence to seven and a half years in prison after being found guilty of robbery, blackmail, possessing criminal property, kidnapping and possessing drugs with intent to supply at Bristol Crown Court in February.

Co-defendant Issa Farah, of Parade Court in Speedwell, was cleared of kidnapping and blackmail charges but convicted of money laundering in relation to the same incident, which happened in March last year.

Avon and Somerset police said a man in his 20s who was visiting Bristol befriended Aidid during a night out.

But Aidid then threatened the victim and demanded money, taking him to a cashpoint in Cabot Circus and ordering him to withdraw £300, which Aidid then stole.

The victim was then taken to a nearby taxi being driven by 37-year-old Farah, who drove him away.

After more threats, the victim transferred another £300 into Farah’s personal account.

Farah then transferred £250 of the money to Aidid, keeping £50 for himself.

The victim was then dropped off at a taxi stand, fled and contacted police.

For the money laundering offence Farah was ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work and to pay court fees.

Afterwards PC Craig Gardiner said Aidid had already disappeared from his home address by the time police arrived to put a tag on him, as a condition of his being released on bail by magistrates at his first court appearance.

PC Gardiner said: “The victim has shown immense bravery in coming forward following such a terrifying ordeal, but there will be no sense of justice until Aidid has been apprehended and imprisoned to serve his sentence.

“Aidid is a dangerous individual who is still wanted by police. He has shown no remorse for his actions on the victim, who was a visitor to our city, and has

Wanted: Guled Aidid Driver: Issa Farah proven himself to be a menacing and threatening man who went to great lengths for money.

“We have carried out a number of enquiries to locate Aidid.

"It is possible he may still be in the UK, but our working hypothesis is that he is abroad and we are working with our international law enforcement partners to find him as a matter of urgency.”

PC Gardiner said Aidid is a Somalian national, about 5ft 8in tall and slim, with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone who sees Aidid or has information on his whereabouts should call 101 and quote the crime reference 5222 072 328.