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PostPosted: Wed Jul 24, 2019 7:30 pm 
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When this guy's past became know to the jury when he was acquitted about 15 years ago I suspect they regretted their decision. But he's finally been brought to book =D>


Fake taxi driver who trapped woman in his Chester cab is jailed for sexual assault

https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/ch ... d-16637595

"She was alone, trapped in a vehicle with a man she had never met before"

Image
Image: Cheshire Live

A fake taxi driver who sexually assaulted a woman on her way home from Chester has been jailed.

Nadeem Sultan, of Stamford Road, Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday (July 24), where he was sentenced to two years in prison.

He was also handed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The 46-year-old had earlier been found guilty of sexual assault by touching following a three-day trial.

He had also pleaded guilty to touting a private hire vehicle and driving without insurance.

In the early hours of Sunday, December 23, the victim, a 22-year-old woman, had been out in Chester with friends.

At around 3.30am she became separated from them and stopped to help a man claiming to be ill at the side of the road near Debenhams.

The victim decided that the best thing to do was to take him home.

She then proceeded to flag down what she thought was a taxi on Eastgate Street.

Once they were in the car, a silver Renault Espace, the victim gave the driver the details of the required drop off points.

Unbeknown to her, the vehicle she had stopped was actually a private car being driven by Sultan, who did not have a licence to operate as a taxi driver and was not insured to drive the car.

A short distance into the journey it became clear that the man found near Debenhams was not actually ill but was using the victim to get a free taxi ride home.

As a result Sultan ordered the man to leave the car.

Alarmed and shocked by Sultan’s actions, the victim became visibly upset.

Alone with the victim, who was sat on the front passenger seat, Sultan plied her with a constant flow of compliments regarding her looks, telling her that she was perfect and that he "could never find a woman like her."

He then put his hand on the victim’s leg, with his fingers on her inner thigh, and began to stroke her.

Frightened by his actions, and concerned that she was in an extremely vulnerable position, the victim immediately pushed Sultan’s hand away and asked him to stop.

A short time later, when the car was stationary, the victim managed to get out of the vehicle.

She fled into a wooded area, from where she called for support.

Neighbourhood Inspector Emma Parry, of Chester Local Policing Unit, said: "Sultan subjected his victim to a terrifying ordeal.

"She was alone, trapped in a vehicle with a man she had never met before who had targeted her to fulfil his own sexual gratification.

"The victim placed her trust in Sultan, believing that he was a genuine taxi driver. He totally abused this trust.

"Being inappropriately touched and sexually assaulted by a stranger is the stuff of nightmares and I cannot praise the victim enough for her bravery in reporting her ordeal to the police and giving evidence against Sultan in court."

Police Constable William McMillan, Chester City Centre Beat Manager, added: "I would also like to pay tribute to the victim for the courage that she has shown throughout this investigation.

"Thanks to her bravery, and the hard work of officers here at Chester, Sultan is now behind bars facing the consequences of his actions.

"I hope that the custodial sentence that Sultan has been handed will provide reassurance to the victim and deter others from committing similar offences."

Insp Parry said: "We treat all reports of sexual offences extremely seriously and any such allegations will be thoroughly investigated, with the wishes and needs of the victim as our main priority.

"Victims should never feel ashamed to talk about what has happened to them.

"They will receive the help and support they need from our specialist officers, as well as from other support agencies we work alongside."

To report a sexual offence call Cheshire Constabulary on 101. Information can also be passed anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.


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PostPosted: Wed Jul 24, 2019 7:31 pm 
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Must have spent about twenty minutes fannying around trying to work out if this was the same Nadeem Sultan as was reported below about 15 years ago. Looks like him (given the fifteen years or so since the court case when he was an HCD, although part of the problem is that there's some uncertainly about the date of the earlier trial - either 2004 or 2007). And the ages roughly match (but again the uncertainty with the earlier dates is confusing in that regard). And his given address then and now in same general part of Greater Manchester (although the Stamford Road reported today doesn't even seem to exist, but there's a Stamford *Street*).

Anyway, could have avoided all that if I'd read today's BBC report first, which mentions his past as an HCD, but which the report above doesn't :roll:

BBC wrote:
The court was told he has previous convictions for kerb-crawling in 1994, indecently assaulting a girl under 14 in 1995, and having sex with a child under 16 in 2008.

Despite his history of sexual offending, Sultan was given a licence by Manchester City Council to drive a black cab in 2000. That decision was criticised by a judge at a separate hearing four years later.

A council spokesman said Sultan's taxi licence was suspended in 2003 and his subsequent reapplication was refused.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-m ... r-49100530

Anyway, here's one of the reports of the earlier court case (which doesn't seem to be on here), which is from 2004 by the looks of it (a very similar report is dated 2007). Interesting to read this now in view of Rotherham and subsequent stuff since, like the IoL's 'fit and proper' guidance.


Cab licence for sex pest

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk ... st-1106784

A JUDGE has demanded an inquiry into how a convicted child molester was granted a licence to drive a black cab. Nadeem Sultan, 31, admitted two sex offences when he applied and was granted the licence despite his record.

Image
Image: Manchester Evening News

A JUDGE has demanded an inquiry into how a convicted child molester was granted a licence to drive a black cab.

Nadeem Sultan, 31, admitted two sex offences when he applied and was granted the licence despite his record.

Manchester city council said it was following a government suggestion that people convicted of serious sex crimes, grievous bodily harm, wounding, drug offences and even drink-driving should be considered for a licence as little as three years later.

Mr Sultan's past came to light when he was charged with sexually assaulting a 20-year-old woman he had picked up outside a hospital.

He was acquitted of the charge at Manchester Crown Court yesterday, but Judge Anthony Ensor insisted on a full explanation of how a man with such a record could be granted a licence.

The woman claimed she got into his taxi "because black cabs are more reliable and safer". The jury did not know he had convictions for kerb-crawling in 1994 and, the following year, for indecently assaulting a girl under the age of 14.

Judge Ensor said: "It is extraordinary that a person convicted of indecent assault for which he was sentenced to four months' imprisonment should be granted a taxi licence.

"I am very concerned and the court will be writing to the licensing authority at Manchester City Council asking for a report."

Mr Sultan, from Withington, thanked the jury as he left the court in tears.

He added: "I have not done anything for eight years. I have a good record." He had made an application successfully for the taxi licence five years ago but it was suspended when he was arrested last August and it has since lapsed, although he has re-applied.

A council official said Mr Sultan's first application for a black cab licence, in April 2000, was referred to a committee of councillors because of his previous convictions.

"The committee considers all cases on their merits and in reaching a decision to grant his licence followed guidelines issued by the Home Office. Nadeem Sultan's licence was suspended due to the charges brought against him. He is currently not licensed to drive a taxi. Mr Sultan has re-applied for a hackney carriage licence and the committee will consider his application in due course."

The "guidelines" used are in a Home Office circular sent to all councils and leading policemen in March 1992. The document deals with how local authorities should check criminal records of people applying to drive taxis. It was based on the then policies of the Metropolitan police.

Under "indecency offences" it says: "As hackney carriage drivers and private hire vehicle drivers often carry unaccompanied passengers, applicants with convictions for indecent exposure, indecent assault, importuning or any of the more serious sexual offences should be refused until they can show a substantial period (at least three to five years) free of such offences.

"More than one conviction of this kind should preclude consideration for at least five years. In either case, if a licence is granted, a strict warning as to future conduct should be issued."

Three years is also the recommended minimum for GBH, wounding, assault and drug convictions - unless the would-be driver was an addict, in which case he should wait five years after detox has finished. People convicted of drink-driving must wait at least three years after they get their licence back.

The Home Office pointed out that the circular explicitly said each council should adopt its own guidelines and that the Met's policy was "an example only".


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PostPosted: Wed Jul 24, 2019 7:38 pm 
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Couple of points worth noting:

Another report back then says that: "Had Sultan applied to Salford Council he would almost certainly have been turned down."

Another interesting point is that following his convictions for kerb-crawling and indecently assaulting a girl under 14, and after his *acquittal* for indecent assault when an HCD, he was also convicted of having sex with a child under 16.

Now this. In view of his history I'd say he's gotten off pretty lightly with two years in jail for his latest 'fake taxi driver' attack :-|


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PostPosted: Wed Jul 24, 2019 7:44 pm 
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One knows now why TFL are the worst licensing authority in the British Isles when they are in cahoots with the Met.Police with a policy as described in that court case.


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PostPosted: Wed Jul 24, 2019 8:54 pm 
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When this guy's past became know to the jury when he was acquitted about 15 years ago I suspect they regretted their decision.

Maybe, but they would have been briefed by the judge on the law and the evidence, and what in particular they should and shouldn't take into account.

My point being if there wasn't clear evidence to prove guilt, then they shouldn't convict even if they don't like the look of the fella or have a hunch he was guilty.

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PostPosted: Wed Jul 24, 2019 8:58 pm 
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Quote:
Manchester city council said it was following a government suggestion that people convicted of serious sex crimes, grievous bodily harm, wounding, drug offences and even drink-driving should be considered for a licence as little as three years later.

Not sure there is any guidance anywhere that says councils can/should/may license a person three years after being convicted of a serious sexual crime. [-X

Methinks the council are trying it on a bit. [-X

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PostPosted: Wed Jul 24, 2019 9:26 pm 
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Sussex wrote:
Quote:
When this guy's past became know to the jury when he was acquitted about 15 years ago I suspect they regretted their decision.

Maybe, but they would have been briefed by the judge on the law and the evidence, and what in particular they should and shouldn't take into account.

My point being if there wasn't clear evidence to prove guilt, then they shouldn't convict even if they don't like the look of the fella or have a hunch he was guilty.


In theory, perhaps, but suspect jury would simply have viewed the whole case differently if they'd known he'd previously been imprisoned for an indecent assault on a girl less than 14-years-old.


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PostPosted: Wed Jul 24, 2019 9:26 pm 
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Sussex wrote:
Quote:
Manchester city council said it was following a government suggestion that people convicted of serious sex crimes, grievous bodily harm, wounding, drug offences and even drink-driving should be considered for a licence as little as three years later.

Not sure there is any guidance anywhere that says councils can/should/may license a person three years after being convicted of a serious sexual crime. [-X

Methinks the council are trying it on a bit. [-X


15 years ago, though?


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PostPosted: Thu Jul 25, 2019 6:12 am 
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StuartW wrote:
Sussex wrote:
Quote:
Manchester city council said it was following a government suggestion that people convicted of serious sex crimes, grievous bodily harm, wounding, drug offences and even drink-driving should be considered for a licence as little as three years later.

Not sure there is any guidance anywhere that says councils can/should/may license a person three years after being convicted of a serious sexual crime. [-X

Methinks the council are trying it on a bit. [-X


15 years ago, though?


do leopards change their spots ?

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PostPosted: Thu Jul 25, 2019 8:48 pm 
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do leopards change their spots ?

Some do, but the question is, is society prepared to take a risk they don't?

Now I think society might take a risk on a petty thief, or someone with drugs convictions from years back, but society shouldn't be prepared ever, IMO, for those convicted of sexual crimes.

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