HULL TAXI DRIVER JAILED FOR SEXUALLY ABUSING TWO TEENAGE WOMEN
Taxi driver Alan Mohamed sexually assaulted two young women in his car, targeting each during separate incidents.The 40-year-old, of St Luke's Street, off Anlaby Road, west Hull, was convicted after two trials.
The first victim, aged 19, was picked up after a night out when Mohamed deliberately changed the route to have her alone with him.
He then proceeded to sexually assault her, groping her and pulling her trousers down in an isolated area, despite her being heavily intoxicated and unable to defend herself.
Her mother noticed her daughter missing and found her emerging from the back of Mohamed's taxi, which had steamed-up windows.
Mohamed then sped off, and the victim later described the incident as having a profound negative impact on her life, affecting her studies and mental health.
The second victim, also 19, was in Mohamed's taxi for a pre-booked journey home.
He exhibited odd behavior, asked about her drinking, and pulled into a petrol station before escalating his harassment by giving her wine, making sexual comments, and attempting to touch her intimately.
She recorded his actions on her phone, and he tried to sexually assault her by putting his hand down her top and making sexual suggestions.
Mohamed then turned off his vehicle's tracking device and drove her to an isolated area, where he attempted further sexual assault.
Her account revealed that Mohamed's actions kept her in a state of fear and trauma, with lasting psychological harm.
Mohamed refused to admit his wrongdoing, did not give evidence, and was deemed to have committed serious offences.
The judge sentenced Mohamed to five-and-a-half years in prison, and he will be required to register as a sex offender indefinitely.
The court emphasized that taxi drivers have a responsibility to ensure their fares are taken home safely and not subjected to sexual abuse.
Mohamed showed no emotion as he was led from the court, and it was noted that he would never drive a taxi again.
The case highlights a grave breach of trust and stresses the importance of safety and respect in the role of a taxi driver.
