Taxi Driver Online

New DNA match sees rapist Telford taxi driver jailed for 1989 crime

https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/cri ... 989-crime/

A cab driver who raped a teenager in Shropshire almost 30 years ago after she asked him for help has been jailed for 10 years.

Irvine Watt, aged 64, was found guilty of the rape which took place in May 1989, when he attacked a woman in his taxi.

He had earlier been charged with rape in September 1989, but was acquitted due to a lack of forensic evidence.

However, new technology was brought into play in 2014 and fresh evidence was brought against Watt.

Stafford Crown Court heard that Watt, of New Road, Wrockwardine Wood, Telford, raped a 17-year-old girl who had missed her train stop.

He was found guilty and sentenced yesterday.

The court heard the victim was travelling from Shrewsbury to Wellington, but missed her stop and got off at Telford.

With no ticket or money, she approached Watt, who was 35 at the time and working as a black cab driver, and explained the situation.

He offered to drive her to Wellington but instead took her to a field and raped her.

Watt then drove the girl back to Telford railway station and gave her £1.70 for a ticket back to Shrewsbury.

She told her family and then the police.

Watt was originally acquitted in September of that year due to lack of forensic evidence, but a review of the evidence in 2014 found a DNA match and the matter came before the Court of Appeal under the rarely-used ‘double jeopardy’ legislation.

Watt was charged with rape and attempted rape and was found guilty and sentenced yesterday.

Robin Allen, District Crown Prosecutor with the West Midlands CPS Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit, praised the victim for her courage.

He added: “I would like to first thank the victim for her courage and support in this case which has assisted us in bringing this dangerous sexual predator to justice.

“For nearly 30 years Irvine Watt had thought that he had escaped justice, however, through new forensic techniques, we were able to match the defendant’s DNA to the 1989 rape.

“The prosecution team were able to use this key piece of evidence to reopen the case, make an application to quash the previous acquittal and order a retrial resulting in today’s successful conviction.”

Looks like he will be spending retirement as bum fluff for Leroy

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

Thank goodness for forensic science, and it's continual advancement.

There must be loads of people expecting that knock on the door at anytime in the future.

I hope they all suffer.

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IDFIMH

Another one brought to justice by DNA evidence after almost three decades, this time after posing as a minicab driver in London.

Man jailed 26 years after sexual assault

http://news.met.police.uk/news/man-jail ... ult-315843

A man who attacked a young woman in Southwark in 1992 has been found guilty of historical sexual offences and sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment.

Maximus John Bowman, 59 (10.06.59) of Crawley Green Road, Luton was convicted of the following offences on Tuesday, 31 July at Southwark Crown Court and sentenced as follows:

- One count of attempted rape - to serve 10 years;
- One count of indecent assault - to serve four years;
- One count of ABH - to serve two years;
- One count of false imprisonment - to serve five years.

The sentences will run concurrently.

The court heard how Bowman was accused of assault and the attempted rape of a 21-year-old woman in Southwark on 17 April 1992.

Following a thorough investigation from the Met's Complex Case Team in 2014, DNA evidence linked Bowman to the attack.

He was arrested on suspicion of attempted rape on 11 August 2016.

On 4 December 2017, Bowman was charged with the offences following a review of the evidence by the Crown Prosecution Service.

During his trial, Bowman was described as a "predatory sexual offender" by the prosecuting counsel.

Detective Constable Bhulesh Pala, from the Met's Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command, said: "In the lead up to the attack, Bowman posed as a minicab driver and offered the victim a lift home.

"However just minutes after getting into the car, he drove the victim into a nearby park and attacked her.

"This was a painstaking investigation which has successfully led to the conviction of this dangerous individual.

"I would like to pay tribute to the victim who was incredibly patient and courageous throughout this long running investigation which involved having to re-live the ordeal and give evidence against her abuser in court.

"I hope today's verdict gives her some measure of comfort and closure.

"I also hope this case gives other victims of rape and sexual offences the confidence to report such crimes to the police. This case continues to demonstrate that we are committed to bringing offenders to justice, irrespective on how much time has passed since the crime was committed."

Let's hope so.

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IDFIMH