Bogus taxi driver who raped student after night out celebrating her degree jailedhttps://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/m ... d-15192529Attif Hamid picked up a student in Digbeth saying he would take her home for a £10 fee but raped her insteadA man who posed as a taxi-driver to persuade a student to get into his car before raping her has been jailed for nine years.
Attif Hamid of Churchill Road in Bordesley Green, was found guilty of rape at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday, September 21 for the attack on March 24 2018.
The 39-year-old picked up the student, who had been out celebrating finishing her dissertation with friends in Digbeth, in the early hours of the morning.
Police say she was going to order a taxi but was approached by Hamid who offered to take her home for a £10 fee.
The 22-year -old woman agreed but, while en route, she asked Hamid to stop off at two cash-point machines to get cash to pay him.
The court heard that when Hamid heard this he became angry and drove to Selly Oak, where he forced her to perform a sex act on him before stealing her phone and leaving her stranded.
The victim managed to take down Hamid's vehicle registration and alert the occupants of a nearby house who called police.
West Midlands Police arrested him later that day.
In court, the judge said: “She was going to celebrate the fact she had finished her dissertation for her degree; she was going to go out with friends, enjoy and celebrate their achievements.
“You in the meantime, were getting ready to go out as someone pretending to be a taxi driver.
"She was vulnerable as you learned she had no cash. It was then you took the opportunity to rape her."
Investigating officer DC Leon McIntosh from the Public Protection team, added : “This is a despicable crime and I am happy that we managed to catch the man responsible and bring him to justice.
“We investigate all allegations of sexual assault and rape and take them very seriously. I would urge anyone who has ever had a similar experience, to get in touch with us as soon as possible."
Rhydian James, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Attif Hamid is a dangerous sexual predator who prowled the streets of the city at night in his unlicensed taxi looking for vulnerable women.
"Officers identified Hamid's car as a Toyota Celica which led to him being arrested at a property in Bordesley Green.
“When he had spotted his prey, he approached the victim, offered to take her home for a low fee and then drove her to a secluded spot where he raped her.
“I would like to thank the victim for her support in helping to being this man to justice and remind members of the public to only use licensed and insured taxi drivers.”
Hamid has also been disqualified from driving for a total of six-and-a-half years.
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