Pervert taxi driver groped drunk passenger & stole her moneyA TAXI driver has been jailed and stripped of his licence after he groped a female passenger – before stealing her purse and withdrawing money with her bank card.
Shazad Hussain has been sent to prison for 18 months after being convicted of sexual assault. The 23-year-old was finishing his shift when he picked up his victim, who had been drinking, outside a takeaway in Hanley.
The victim gave him her cash card and pin number so he could withdraw his fare from an ATM. As he drove to drop her off in Biddulph, he sexually assaulted her and did not return her purse.
Now Stoke-on-Trent City Council has condemned Hussain's behaviour, and confirmed he is no longer a licensed driver.
A trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard that Hussain had been to the city centre takeaway to get some food as he finished his shift at 5am.
A bouncer told him that a woman was waiting outside and wanted a taxi home to Biddulph. Despite living in Blurton, Hussain agreed to take her and withdrew the fare from a nearby cash machine.
After taking a 'circuitous' route to Biddulph he groped her twice – first touching her thigh over her clothing and moving his hand towards her groin. He then touched her breast, again over her clothes.
The court heard as he dropped her at home he offered to waive his fare if she agreed to give him oral sex – which she declined. After she got home – where her mother found her in distress – she realised she did not have her purse and contacted the police.
Meanwhile Hussain drove to several ATMs on his way home withdrawing cash using the victim's bank card – a total of £260 – until he could not carry out any more transactions.
He was later arrested and initially denied theft and sexual assault following the incident last summer. When presented with CCTV evidence by police he admitted two charges of theft, but continued to deny sexual assault. He was found guilty following a trial last month.
Nicholas Tatlow, representing Hussain at his sentencing hearing, said he had never been in trouble before.
"He is a young man of good character and good background," said Mr Tatlow. "It's clear he is very sorry for the way he behaved towards this woman on this night."
The court heard the victim, who was previously 'bubbly, outgoing and fun-loving', had become withdrawn, was drinking more and had been prescribed anti-depressants.
Judge David Fletcher sentenced Hussain, of Blurton Road, Blurton, to 18 months in prison.
He said: "You were a taxi driver. She was a lone woman, early in the morning. There was targeting of the victim and there has clearly been psychological harm caused. This was a serious piece of behaviour."
Councillor Randy Conteh, Stoke-on-Trent City Council's cabinet member for housing, communities and safer city, said behaviour like Hussain's 'is not tolerated'.
"The safety of the public is our number one priority, and we take instances like this extremely seriously," he said. "This kind of behaviour is not tolerated. Mr Hussain's licence was suspended immediately and will remain so until it expires."
Councillor Joy Garner, chairwoman of the licensing and general purposes committee, said Hussain's actions reflected badly on other cabbies.
She said: "Any driver of a public vehicle that is found guilty of such a thing makes it more difficult for other drivers. We know the vast majority of our nearly 2,000 drivers behave very well, are very professional, and would never dream of treating one of their passengers in this way."
Read more at
http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/pervert- ... dwGK6Vm.99
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