Taxi Driver Online

This is the official police press release. It's been picked up by a couple of news outlets (BBC and ITV for a kick off), but think they've just rehashed this rather than adding anything new. Therefore...


Man Jailed for Attempt Rape While Posing as a Taxi Driver in Castleford

https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/new ... castleford


Image: ITV News

A man who attempted to rape a vulnerable woman in Castleford after pretending to be a taxi driver has been jailed.

Raja Gulraiz, 48, of Harwell Road, Sheffield, was found guilty following trial at Leeds Crown Court of attempt rape and sexual assault.

The offence was committed in June 2021. Gulraiz positioned his Toyota Yaris close to a taxi rank and told the victim he was a taxi driver. She got into his vehicle where he committed the sexual offences during the journey to her home.

Bad character evidence submitted to the trial detailed that Gulraiz had been linked to a similar offence in Castleford in 2018.

He was sentenced today (Monday, 18 September) to 11 years imprisonment.

A victim personal statement was provided to the court. Words from the victim included:

“Prior to this I wouldn’t think twice about walking home alone at night, walking my dog or even getting into a taxi. I enjoyed my own company and I would always see the good in people, so it would never enter my head that people would be deceiving.

“I still have a lot of triggers. I no longer walk anywhere at night. I can’t go down a certain street and until recently I couldn’t even walk from my car to my front door without asking my mum or my partner to be waiting at door for me.

“This incident has impacted every aspect of my life on a daily basis and has changed me to someone whom I don’t want to be…I grieve that person I once was.”

Superintendent Phil Jackson said: “The victim has shown immense bravery in reporting what happened to her and the further courage to put her trust in the criminal justice system.

“It cannot be underestimated how hard it will have been for her to stand up in front of her attacker in court and relive the ordeal that he subjected her to. She has done this in the hope that she can stop what happened to her from happening to someone else. I hope that this conviction also helps give other victims the confidence to come forward.

“Gulraiz has failed to accept responsibility for his actions. The investigation team have worked tirelessly to ensure he has been brought to justice.

“We are committed to protecting woman and girls from violence and sexual violence. This conviction has ensured that a dangerous predator is now behind bars and will have conditions on him in the future to protect others from harm.”

Not much information on the 'taxi' angle, but a Toyota Yaris, eh? Can't be many of them plated as 'taxis'.

So the fact that someone can get into a car like that (wasn't a Fiesta used in a similar case on the South coast?) shows how, er, credulous people can be

On the other hand, this kind of thing lends weight to those who promote colour codes, white bonnets and suchlike.

But I suppose the cynical argument is that this kind of thing demonstrates that colour codes would be unlikely to prevent this kind of thing anyway.

And no word of 'intoxication' or similar that's often mentioned in cases like this. But maybe the police description of a 'vulnerable' woman is a euphemism for that

I would have hoped a warning was issued by the police in 2018 for people to ensure any vehicle people got in was licensed, be that at a taxi rank or on the street.

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