Article: 'Lucky escape' of drunk teen targeted by rapist; Man who posed as taxi driver faces jail term.(News)

Byline: Chris Robinson

A CONVICTED rapist who cruised Newcastle city centre looking for vulnerable women was today facing a long jail sentence.

Andrew Beal posed as a taxi driver in an attempt to kidnap a drunken female student.

But the 39-year-old was thwarted by a real cab driver who spotted what was going on and alerted a nearby police officer.

After the jury at Newcastle Crown Court found Beal guilty of the two charges he faced, Judge Michael Cartlidge said his intended target - a 19-year-old woman - had a lucky escape.

The court heard Beal was on licence ...

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