I fled the Taliban but life in Bristol was sheer hell
A taxi driver accused of groping a teenage passenger says the 16-month nightmare has left his life in tatters – even though the case was dropped.
Gholam Tawakoli denied sexually assaulting a burlesque clad 17-year-old girl while working for ARC Taxis in Weston-super-Mare in October 2008.
The girl also claimed he had offered her a free ride if she slept with him.
In September last year a jury was unable to come to a decision and was dismissed by Judge Jamie Tabor.
On Monday the case against Mr Tawakoli was finally dropped but he says the damage had already been done.
Mr Tawakoli fled his home in Afghanistan to England because of his political beliefs and was granted asylum in 2002. His father was killed by the Taliban in 2001.
The 34-year-old had to sell his home and land in Afghanistan to fight the case.
"I had to flee Afghanistan because my political beliefs meant I was not safe," he told the Evening Post.
"I thought England would be a safe haven for me but when this happened it made me think twice.
"I can't understand why this girl said these things. I just wanted to respect passengers and get them where they wanted to go.
"It has cost me more than £20,000 to fight this case and live over the past 16 months.
"My reputation is in tatters. I don't feel like I am a fit man physically and mentally at the moment. My car has been targeted because of what has happened and I have had racist abuse.
"I will get my licence back but this experience has made me too scared to be a taxi driver again."
Mr Tawakoli, of Twenty Acres Road, Southmead, described his ordeal, which started shortly after the alleged incident in October 2008.
"When the police came to see me I was not worried because I had not done anything," he said. "When I went to the police station they told me what I was meant to have done and charged me – I was shocked.
"It all went very quickly from then. I found myself in crown court wondering what was happening.
"It was all very painful. I just want to be able to live my life.
"Life was not easy for me. I have a big family to support and I was working very hard so I could send them money. I didn't like having to drive a taxi at night six or seven times a week but it was better paid and I want my family to come here as soon as possible."
During Mr Tawakoli's trial the jury heard from the owner of ARC Taxis, Richard Barron, who said he was "honest, reliable, very hard-working" and very popular with customers.
source:
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/homepage/
Login
Register
FAQ
