MOSHRAF ALI FROM ROYTON JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN MANCHESTER

In August 2017, a disturbing case unfolded involving a taxi driver from Royton who was convicted of sexually assaulting a young girl. Moshraf Ali, aged 52, was sentenced to 12 months in prison after being found guilty of sexual assault at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court. The court also ordered him to register as a sex offender for a period of ten years.

Ali, residing on Hilltop Drive in Royton, had previously been granted a taxi license by Oldham Council in 2003. However, this decision was made despite the council being fully aware of his prior conviction for indecent assault in 2001, for which he had received a conditional discharge. The licensing panel had issued a warning to Ali regarding his future conduct, acknowledging his past conviction but still allowing him to operate as a taxi driver.

It was only in June 2015 that the council revoked Ali’s taxi license after Greater Manchester Police informed them that he was due to appear in court charged with the recent offence. This revocation came after the police had been alerted to the allegations against him, highlighting concerns over passenger safety and the driver’s suitability.

The victim, a 14-year-old girl, was returning home late at night in a private hire vehicle. Her mother had arranged for her to take a taxi rather than walk or use public transport, believing it to be a safer option. However, during the journey, Ali’s behavior took a disturbing turn. He began driving erratically, making wrong turns, and taking the longest possible route to the girl’s home. Throughout the trip, he started asking her inappropriate sexual questions and, at one point, leaned over from the driver’s seat to grope her.

The girl’s mother later described the traumatic impact of the incident. She recounted that Ali had asked her daughter invasive questions, such as whether she had any pictures of herself posing, which made her very uncomfortable. The girl was also subjected to physical contact when Ali put his arm on her leg and moved it up toward her inner thigh. Fortunately, the girl managed to escape the vehicle and contacted the police.

Following the incident, her mother expressed the lasting emotional toll it has taken on her daughter. She explained that the girl was extremely frightened and found the process of giving evidence in court to be very stressful and upsetting. The mother also revealed that her daughter now insists on only being driven by female drivers whenever she needs a taxi, especially late at night. She voiced her frustration and anger over the entire ordeal, emphasizing the importance of passenger safety and the need for stricter checks on taxi drivers with prior convictions.