This is the Co Armagh predator facing up to seven years behind bars after he admitted kidnapping a female jogger from a Portadown.
Also pictured is the red Audi from which the terrified but determined woman, targeted by Lurgan man Jeffrey Kelly, fortunately escaped from.
Following discussions between prosecution and defence barristers, an additional charge of robbing the victims mobile phone was added to the indictment and the 31-year-old finally admitted both the offence of kidnapping and robbery.
As a result of his confessions, a further charge of false imprisonment was left on the books by the PPS and remanding the creep back into custody until November 22, Judge Roseanne McCormick QC adjourned passing sentence pending the completion of a pre-sentence probation report.
Previous courts heard how the victim was out for a Sunday morning jog on May 10, last year when Kelly grabbed her at Kensington Park, just off Long Lane in Portadown, dragging his “kicking and screaming” victim to the boot of his red Audi car parked nearby but twice she managed to escape and ran off.
According to the police case, Kelly had been “stalking” lone females that Sunday morning and when he was initially charged a few days after the offence, a detective said the consequences for the victim could have been a lot worse “except for her bravery and determination.”
“She states that she was dragged for about 21 metres to the parked car,” said the cop adding “she was put into the boot by the male” who she described as being about 6’, average build, blonde hair with stubble and wearing dark clothes and a dark hoodie.
The woman managed to get out but her attacker “forced her back in” and as she continued to fight back fiercely, “she managed to kick her way out for a second time” and run away.
A member of the public who heard screaming saw a red Audi A4 driving away while the victim managed to note the registration plate and the court heard that following a police appeal on social media, other women have come forward because “they believe that they were being stalked by this male.”
Police enquiries on the registration plate brought police to Kelly who was arrested, interviewed and picked out of a police video identification parade by the woman he kidnapped.
The court heard that when police arrived at his house, there was “dark clothing” being dried and Kelly told cops his mother had washed it that morning “because it was dirty.”
He denied any involvement in the random snatching, provided police with two alibi witnesses and claimed there were “at least four” other cars similar to his in the local area.
By changing his plea last Wednesday, Kelly, from Brookehill in Lurgan, has vindicated his victim and abandoned his lying account.
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