Taxi Driver Online

A taxi driver found guilty of sexually assaulting a teenage boy on his way home can today be revealed as a convicted killer.

Zulfikar Nawaz, 56, of Balshaw Road, Leyland, subjected his 18-year-old victim to a terrifying ordeal after he drove him home from an office party in Chorley town centre. After the case it was revealed in court that Nawaz had a previous conviction for manslaughter dating back to 1977, although the precise details of that offence were not disclosed. Because that conviction was regarded as ‘spent’ it meant he was able to get a Hackney carriage licence from Chorley Council.

In December 2010, dad-of-four Nawaz picked his victim and a friend up from a taxi rank outside the Henry Tate pub. At just after midnight, Nawaz drove the pair to an address on the outskirts of Chorley where he dropped the victim’s friend off. Later, as he approached the victim’s house, his passenger told him where to stop. However he carried on for another 200 yards, blaming the fog on the cold winter’s evening for not being able to see his destination.

The teenager told Preston Crown Court: “I told him ‘it’s this house on the right’. He slowed down and he went on for another 100 or 200 yards up the road. “I had my wallet out ready to pay. He got out of his seat. He was against the door and was standing with his trousers around his ankles. He started dragging my legs across. “He grabbed both my ankles. I remember his beard touching my face. He was trying to kiss me. He was putting all of his weight on me and I couldn’t get him off. I just couldn’t throw him off. I was thinking ‘is this really happening’.”

He eventually managed to scramble to the front of the taxi where he pulled the keys out of the ignition and tried to get away, fighting Nawaz off before running to his front door. The victim’s mother told the court: “I woke up to the screaming of ‘mum, mum’ I found him by the front door. “He was half dressed. I thought he had been in a fight. I tried hugging him but he was going into shock. “I wanted to call the police but he said no one would believe him.”

During the trial Nawaz had accused his victim of running off after failing to pay the fare and later returning to the scene to plant evidence to incriminate him. Nawaz was convicted of sex assault against a male. Nawaz has been a taxi driver since 1996, registered with Chorley Borough Council as a Hackney carriage driver. He was bailed until November 7 for a pre-sentence report to be prepared. He must not leave his house between the hours of 9.30pm and 6am and must not carry out work as a taxi driver.

Coun Eric Bell, who is responsible for licensing at Chorley Council, said: “All our taxi drivers go through rigorous checks to determine whether they are a fit and proper person before they can get a licence. “As soon as the council became aware that this allegation had been made Mr Nawaz’s licence was suspended and following the conviction we will now apply to get the licence revoked.”

The Lancashire Evening Post checked with the police, Crown Prosecution Service and Ministry of Justice but was unable to find out details of the 1977 manslaughter conviction.

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IDFIMH

very odd that information on the previous conviction is unavailable or was it that the offence wasn't committed in this country ?

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Take out the racial side of this because I don't think this man represents one creed in full, but there is deffo a worrying trend emerging, in this case it's a grown man trying to rape a teenage boy, normally it's a young girl who faces this, perhaps the time of flirting in the cab with a driver who you simply see in the same light as audience participation at a comedy gig has to stop as some drivers are obviously taking the humour as something else and acting unaccordingly.

CRB in country of origin? flawed I'm afraid, what do you think another country is going to send in info on a convicted villain, are they going to tip us off or say good ridance you have him now and we don't want him back?

I never wanted camera's in the car, but perhaps the time has come that they are essential for both the customers safety and the drivers innocence.

The question that comes to my mind is why would the driver get near the passengers' house to try to
attack him ?....Surely he would take him much further away or stop somewhere enroute ?..
To me it doesn't add up.....
Could it be that the passenger is making up the story or have we not been told everything about the case ?

Indeed.

How very refreshing to see a driver consider others before himself.

It's just a shame more drivers don't realise that CCTV will earn them more money but ridding the trade of the scum, and giving customers more security.

As well, of course, hopefully saving drivers from getting a knife in the neck.

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IDFIMH

I know what went on this 18 year old was the son of police inspecter, i dont believe he as done it, still dont.

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C. Oakes


The Hackney Association Ltd
bbha@btinternet.com

i agree

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C. Oakes


The Hackney Association Ltd
bbha@btinternet.com

What the killing?

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IDFIMH

Even more that does not add up...the driver was guilty of manslaughter ....but we cannot find any evidence on that case ?...now the 18 year old ''victim'' of this alleged assault is the son of a police inspector....makes one wonder...like I said before...why would anybody who wishes to assault the passenger wait till he was near the passenger's home ?....surely you would stop on the way somewhere or drive him elsewhere...

Well, don't keep us all in suspense, either put up or shut up?