Minicab driver jailed for sex assault on teenage passenger A minicab driver who kissed a teenage passenger and groped her breast has been jailed for nine months.
Safeen Ali (34) was convicted by a jury of sexually assaulting the 18-year-old student in his cab on the night of December 1 last year.
He denied the offence, claiming nothing untoward happened.
Ali, of Norfolk Street, West End, Leicester, has now had his private hire licence revoked by the city council.
Sentencing at Leicester Crown Court, Judge Simon Hammond said the victim was "really frightened" during the assault.
When she told him to stop, he ceased molesting her, apologised and drove her home to Loughborough.
Judge Hammond said: "He deliberately picked up a vulnerable woman who was alone and tried to take advantage of her for a sexual purpose.
"He had no business to stop in a lay-by on the A6 and sexually molest her.
"People who take taxis (sic) should be able to trust the drivers.
"I'd like to pay tribute to her for her courage and dignity in giving evidence at trial.
"The defendant continues to deny the offence and doesn't accept any blame for what happened.
"He's married with a young family and has now lost his job.
"He should never drive a taxi again."
The court heard the teenager spoke to the defendant as he waited for three passengers who had booked his private hire car to collect them at St Margaret's Bus Station, in Leicester city centre. She was waiting for a late-night bus and told him she only had £10 on her, when a minicab fare to Loughborough would have been £25.
He let her sit in his minicab to keep warm and then dropped off his pre-arranged passengers, taking her with him.
On the A6 travelling towards Loughborough, he stopped at a layby.
He suggested she "return the favour" and perform a sex act upon him, which she refused.
Judge Hammond said: "He touched her breast under her clothing and kissed her on the lips."
The victim wrote down part of his registration number after being dropped off and told her family what had happened.
Paul Prior, mitigating for Ali, said: "It was 10 minutes of utter stupidity and a lack of sexual control. He came to his senses when the complainant said no to him and he apologised."
Read more:
http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Taxi- ... z2l6Lcf8eZ
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