Stafford taxi driver attacked teen as he drove her homeA taxi driver assaulted a teenage girl as he drove her home following a night out.
Hikmet Kaya from Stafford escaped a jail sentence, but was told her had seriously breached the trust that should always be there between a taxi river and a passenger.
The victim had got into the taxi with her friends for the trip back from Stafford to Newport in Shropshire when the attack happened.
Kaya, 39, of Riverside Mews, Stafford, denied sexually assaulting the teenager in his cab in December last year.
But he was convicted by a jury after a three-day trial.
Sentencing him for the offence, Judge Simon Tonking told Kaya he had betrayed the taxi industry and the importance of maintaining trust between driver and passenger.
Kaya was sentenced to eight months in jail, suspended for two years. He must carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and was told to pay £2,800 court costs and a £100 surcharge.
The court was told the girl was attacked in the front passenger seat while two friends were sitting in the rear of the vehicle.
Michael Grey, for Kaya, said his client maintained his innocence and had been a man of previous good character.
However Judge Tonking said Kaya put his hand on the girl’s leg and attempted to persuade her to touch him.
Judge Tonking said the assault had happened over clothing and at one point the girl had asked her friends in the back seat for help.
The judge told Kaya: “She was obviously distressed.
“Passengers, particularly female passengers, must be able to trust you to take them to their destination.
“This was a isolated incident.
“It was out of character. It may cause you to lose your licence as a taxi driver.”
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