Cambridge taxi driver who sexually assaulted two passengers walks free from courthttps://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/c ... t-15660156One of his victims said she she would be altering her habits so she didn't take more taxis
Image: Cambridge NewsA Cambridge taxi driver convicted of sexually assaulting two female passengers has walked free from Cambridge Magistrates Court.
Abu Bakar, 25, of Cam Causeway, Cambridge, was found guilty in December of two counts of sexual assault and was today (January 10) handed a suspended jail sentence.
The offences both took place on May 6 2018 in St Ives and involved sexually touching a woman without her consent.
The court heard that both the victims, who Bakar had picked up in his taxi, were drunk and in a "vulnerable position" at the time of the attacks.
Prosecuting, Giles Beaumont told the court one victim said: "I feel empowered to make an appeal against the taxi driver so that this doesn't happen again. I feel I will have to alter my habits so that I don’t take more taxis.
“He needs to know what he has done wrong and pay for his actions.”
Mr Beaumont asked the presiding magistrates to consider compensation to the two women as a priority.
Mr Treba, defending Bakar, said his client "fully accepts what he did was wrong, and is not seeking to appeal the conviction".
He added: "There is obvious remorse."
Mr Treba told the court how Bakar's wife and two-a-half month old baby were dependent on him, and for that reason he should be spared from an immediate custodial sentence as it would be "devastating" to his family.
Mr Treba, defending Bakar, said his client "fully accepts what he did was wrong, and is not seeking to appeal the conviction".
He added: "There is obvious remorse."
Mr Treba told the court how Bakar's wife and two-a-half month old baby were dependent on him, and for that reason he should be spared from an immediate custodial sentence as it would be "devastating" to his family.
When magistrates returned, Bakar was given two consecutive six month jail sentences which were suspended for two years.
He would also be put onto the Sex Offenders' Register for ten years, and would have to keep police updated of his address every year.
Bakar was also told to pay court costs and a victim surcharge totalling £880, but would not have to pay compensation to his victims. He was required to complete 80 hours of unpaid work.
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