Man found guilty of kidnap

A WARRINGTON man has been found guilty of kidnap offences after targeting three school girls.
Christopher Frances Greenwood, aged 48, of Oak Road, Lymm was found guilty of two offences of attempted kidnap, and one offence of kidnap by a jury at Chester Crown Court.
Sentencing has been adjourned until February 14 at Chester Crown Court.
The court was told the offences took place in June last year.
Two friends, aged 11 and 12, were on their way to a take away shop in Bridgewater Street, Lymm, when a man pulled up alongside them in a red BMW and tried to engage them in conversation.
He then parked his car and got out, approached the girls on foot, trying to continue the conversation. While talking to the girls, he made inappropriate suggestions to them, before offering them a lift, and trying to entice them into the car with offers of a drink. The girls were becoming increasingly alarmed, and ran home to alert their families.
The next day a 14 year old girl was walking along Rushgreen Road, Lymm, on her way to see a friend. She saw a red car parked ahead of her, and a man standing on the pavement nearby. He appeared to be fiddling with the car door. As she walked by, the man grabbed her and forced her into the car through the open door. The girl put up a significant struggle, and tried to call 999 on her mobile, but was prevented from doing so by the man.
Eventually she managed to break free and get out of the car, running to a nearby house and in a state of great distress, managed to raise the alarm.
The struggle between the man and the terrified girl was witnessed by a 12 year old girl, who had the presence of mind to call 999.
Extensive police enquiries began to trace the man and Greenwood was arrested. He was subsequently charged with two offences of attempted kidnap and one offence of kidnap. He pleaded not guilty but was convicted by the jury.
He has been remanded in custody pending sentencing.