Delivery driver accused of attempting to kidnap schoolgirl said he was trying 'chat up' line
27.04.2023 - 19:25
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A delivery driver accused of attempting to kidnap a schoolgirl at a bus stop said he was trying a 'chat up' line and did not know the child was underage. Sean Gillings, 33, has pleaded not guilty to attempted kidnap and is standing trial.
Manchester Crown Court has heard that the girl, 15, said she thought she was going to be kidnapped after Mr Gillings approached and started talking to her. But he has denied intending to do so and said he wanted to try and get the girl's phone number.
Jurors heard an interview which Mr Gillings gave to police following his arrest. He said he had been working that day, in November last year, delivering food from a nearby takeaway.
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Mr Gillings said he stopped his car near the bus stop in Monton, Salford, and saw the girl, who he thought 'looked nice', he said. "I have just pulled up and I have just come up with some cheeky banter," he told police.
The girl told jurors that he said hello before telling her: "The bus lines are down and I'm going to have to take you to your destination."
"I'm always working, I don't really get the chance to meet females," Mr Gillings told police. "I work with guys."
"I thought that was a good chat up line. But clearly it was obviously misinterpreted apparently."
He described his comment about the 'bus lines' as being an 'icebreaker'. "I'm not the best at it but I do try," he said.
Mr Gillings said he thought the girl 'looked older than she was', and that she was 'at least in her 20s'. He said the girl told her she was 16.
"When I found out her age I was like nah, I'm not interested," he said. The interviewing officer asked Mr Gillings what his intention was before he began speaking