A former barber has been convicted of kidnap and false imprisonment after pretending to be a taxi service.

Isaac Mabwa, aged 33 of Melville Avenue in Ealing, worked as a director at GROOMD, a barber shop in Eastcote, according to an official listing on the Companies House.

However GROOMD have since confirmed that the shop is under new management after two barbers who worked there have taken over with “immediate effect”.

This follows after Harrow Crown Court heard that Mabwa was falsely driving a hire car in central London in the early hours of May 8, 2017.

A female victim, aged 25 at the time, was walking on Euston Road after a night out needing to get home, and Mabwa stopped his car offering her a lift home.

She believed that she was getting into a taxi or minicab, but shortly after getting in she realised this was not a taxi as Mabwa drove in the opposite direction of her home address.

During the hour and a half journey, she tried to get out of the car many times but Mabwa stopped her from leaving.

However she was able to message her boyfriend and friend during the journey, and sent her location so they could find her.

Eventually the car was pulled into an unlit car park and the victim began to scream.

A member of the public heard the victim’s screams and called police as the victim struggled and managed to escape from the vehicle.

Police later detained Mabwa after he left the car park in the vehicle he was in.

He was then charged in April 2020 after a lengthy investigation, but Mabwa pleaded not guilty on August 16 this year to charges including kidnap, false imprisonment and the intent to commit a sexual offence.

On Tuesday (August 24) he was convicted of kidnap, false imprisonment and committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence. However, he was not found guilty of sexual assault.

Mabwa was remanded in custody to appear for sentencing on a date/at a venue to be confirmed.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Brien, said: “This case is an example of the tireless efforts made by our officers to bring offenders such as Isaac Mabwa, who commit violent offences against women and girls, to justice.

“We encourage anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence to come forward and speak to police. You will be supported by specially trained officers throughout the investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings.”

In a verified statement by GROOMD, the shop has confirmed that the shop will be completely rebranded under the new management.

The statement read: "As of today GROOMD is under new management.

"Two of the barber that currently work there with immediate effect have taken over complete running of the shop.

"Please don’t boycott the shop as these two barbers will have to be working extra hard to continue. In due course the shop will be completely rebranded."