‘I’ll stab you if you don’t drive’ Woman who kidnapped men during lockdown sentenced

• Published date: 29 January 2021
• Author: Stephanie Arthur-Worsop

Jasmine Blake, 35, previously pleaded guilty to two charges of kidnapping and one charge of robbery and was yesterday sentenced in the Rotorua District Court to nine months’ home detention, to be served at a rehabilitation facility.

A further six months’ post-detention conditions were imposed and she was ordered to pay $400 in reparation to her second victim.

The charges relate to a series of incidents last April, while the country was in level 4 lockdown.

According to a summary of facts, Blake’s offending began at 6.28pm on April 7 when, in the Countdown Supermarket carpark, the Cambridge woman got into the car of a 23-year-old truck driver and told him to “just f****** drive, just drive”.

The man drove a short distance before Blake said “I’ll stab you if you don’t drive” raising her hand to chest-height as though she were holding something.

Appearing to be in an agitated state, Blake also yelled: “Do you know what I have in my hand? Just drive if you want to live”.

The man feared for his life and thought he might be stabbed if he didn’t do what Blake said, the summary stated.

When Blake, who had been muttering to herself, appeared distracted, the man stopped the car and escaped, taking the keys with him.

As he got out of the car Blake struck out with her right hand but the blow did not connect.

Walking a short distance away, the man began yelling at Blake to get out of his car, which she did, putting something back into her handbag as she went.

Walking down an alleyway off Lake St, Blake encountered her second victim, a 66-year-old businessman.

The man was getting ready to drive home when Blake opened the passenger door of his car and got in.

Once the man realised he didn’t know Blake, he told her she was in the wrong car.

Blake told him “it’s not a good day to die” and demanded he drive her to the highway.

The man, fearing violence, began driving towards the Cambridge Police Station when Blake told him she had a gun and a knife.

The man saw the knife which was partially concealed up her sleeve.

When the man drove Blake to the highway...