A taxi boss has spoken of his shock after the firm’s former director admitted abducting a child.

Gareth Braithwaite, of Dargets Road, Walderslade, was arrested on June 13 in Braintree, Essex, in the company of a teenage boy.

He pleaded guilty to the offence at Chelmsford Crown Court last Tuesday.

The 41-year-old, who co-owned Cab-It in Sittingbourne, was remanded in custody for sentencing on Monday, August 12.

Dave Vaughan, 58, from Rochester, Braithwaite’s ex-business partner, spoke of his surprise at his former colleague’s admission.

He said: “The first we heard what had happened was when he was arrested.

“He hadn’t turned up for work for a couple of days. Then we got a phone call from him saying he was in Chelmsford Prison.

“It was a total shock. He’d never been in trouble before. He got a parking ticket once, but that was about it.”

Mr Vaughan, who formed Cab-It with Braithwaite 16 years ago, said his ex-colleague immediately quit following his arrest.

“His role was office manager, and we haven’t seen him since the day he was arrested,” he said.

“We find it downright disgusting what he did.

“He’s let everyone down, and this could have a very real affect on the company and its 80 employees.”