NASEEM ABBAS FROM GREAT HORTON JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT IN BRADFORD

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Bradford, a private hire taxi driver named Naseem Abbas, aged 24, has been sentenced to three years in prison for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl. The incident took place in the vicinity of Great Horton, a well-known neighborhood within Bradford, and has raised serious concerns about the safety and trust placed in local taxi services.

Abbas, who resided on Grey Friar Walk in Great Horton, was found guilty by a jury at Bradford Crown Court earlier this year after denying the charges of indecent assault. The court heard how the assault occurred after Abbas had dropped off some of the girl’s relatives. Instead of returning directly home, he drove the young girl to a secluded cul-de-sac where he committed the heinous act. The victim, a 15-year-old girl, bravely recounted her ordeal during the trial, describing how Abbas suddenly jumped on her immediately after she entered the vehicle. She explained, “He just jumped on to me straight away and I couldn’t get him off. I was screaming for my dad.”

The court was informed that Abbas had pushed up the girl’s upper clothing during the attack. The girl described her feelings during the assault, saying, “I was just thinking I was in a nightmare,” and added, “I was crying because I thought he was going to rape me. I thought he was going to murder me.”

Judge Roger Scott, presiding over the case, emphasized the gravity of Abbas’s actions, stating that the teenager had been entrusted into his care and that he had caused her significant trauma. The judge remarked, “You forced yourself on her in a quite disgusting fashion. It must have been a traumatic experience for her.”

During the sentencing, Judge Scott highlighted the breach of trust involved, noting that the girl had believed she could rely on taxi drivers for safety. “She thought you could trust taxi drivers and in that she speaks for everyone in the UK,” he said.

Abbas’s defense lawyer, Sophie Drake, explained that her client had been held in custody for several weeks and was placed in a protected area of Armley Jail in Leeds due to the emotional toll. She also stated that Abbas believed the girl was over 18 and insisted that he was not a paedophile. However, these claims did not prevent the court from imposing a substantial sentence.

It was also revealed that Abbas had been granted a private hire license by Bradford Council three years prior, despite admitting to a previous conviction for assault. After disclosing his past conviction, he was initially issued a probationary license for six months, which was subsequently renewed annually. Once the allegations of indecent assault surfaced, his license was immediately suspended and has now been revoked entirely, reflecting the seriousness of his misconduct.

This case underscores the importance of rigorous background checks and oversight within the private hire industry, especially in areas like Great Horton, where community trust is vital. The community and authorities alike are calling for increased safety measures to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.