MINICAB RAPIST SENTENCED TO NEARLY FIVE YEARS IN JAIL
A top policeman expressed surprise at the sentence given to Yogaratchan Arulpagasam, 31, from Milton Keynes, who was convicted of viciously raping a woman he picked up in his illegal minicab.The incident occurred in an alleyway off Federal Road, Perivale, in the early hours of Saturday, July 14, last year.
Arulpagasam pleaded guilty to the charges of rape and unlawful imprisonment and was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison at Isleworth Crown Court.
The case revealed that Arulpagasam, an unemployed man working as an unlicensed minicab driver, picked up his victim outside The Crown pub on Cricklewood High Street.
The woman requested a ride to her home in Brent and agreed on a fare of £5, but became worried about the route taken.
Arulpagasam then pulled into an alley, locked the car doors, threatened her, and raped her.
Afterward, two men helped the victim, who was still in the car, and she managed to contact police and a friend.
DNA tests linked Arulpagasam to the crime scene, and he was apprehended after police stopped his car in Clapham.
The detective praised the victim's bravery and called Arulpagasam a dangerous individual, expressing hope that his conviction provides some comfort.
The police also recommended his deportation after serving his sentence and confirmed he will be required to sign the sex offenders register for life.
