Essex dad held secret Grindr lover at knifepoint in car park

Charles Neumann, 26, has been jailed for 28 months after his victim “believed his life was in peril” during the terrifying encounter in Colchester.

Despite being an expectant father, Neumann met the victim on Grindr in the summer of 2021 and the pair shared multiple sexual encounters in secret, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

The duo then rekindled their private affair in October last year and arranged to meet in Barrack Street, Colchester, shortly after midnight on October 21.

“A message from the defendant popped up and they arranged to meet again by Jan and Phil’s convenience store,” said Adam Norris, prosecuting.

Jailed - Charles Neumann (Image: Essex Police)

“They met in the road and headed towards a car park. The defendant took [the victim] further down an alleyway into the unlit car park.

“As he went down there he made an excuse to leave, saying he needed to go and urinate.

“When the defendant came back he was somewhat agitated and said he needed money and produced a knife.”

The court heard the victim did not have any money on him and was urged to transfer money through a banking app, which failed.

It was said that Neumann, who worked at cocktail bar Turtle Bay, was high on cocaine and drunk at the time.

Mr Norris continued: “The threat was absolutely clear. He was afraid for his life.

Scary encounter - it understood Neumann held the victim at knifepoint in this car park in Barrack Street (Image: Google)

“The defendant became distracted and at this point he [the victim] began to run. Once in the street he called the police.”

An unmarked police firearms officer arrived at the scene and spotted Neumann, who had shot back to his house in Barrack Street to ditch the blade and change outfit.

When pressed about who he was and subsequently arrested, Neumann broke free and made off on foot.

“He attempted to vault a fence by mounting an Audi; there was an audible crack at which point he fell off the Audi,” said Mr Norris.

Neumann, of Barrack Street, Colchester, admitted attempted robbery, possession of a knife and criminal damage.

Sentence - Ipswich Crown Court

Shanice Mahmud, mitigating, said her client has been “wracked with guilt” since the incident.

“This was a person who, at the time, was high, drunk and quite desperate,” she said.

“He was extremely inebriated but he was deseperate to access more cocaine.”

Judge Emma Peters said it was “clear” Neumann’s remorse was genuine but said he “took advantage” of his victim.

She added: “When someone attempts to rob someone at knifepoint the consequences are significant.

“This is too serious to be a suspended sentence. You must be punished by an immediate prison sentence.”