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Trafford Minibus Rapist
Unlicensed Minibus Driver Rapes Woman in Partington!
Report Date Jan 11 2007
On January 11th 2007 Greater Manchester police issued a press release in respect of yet another sad case of a woman being raped. Trafford CID informed Taxi Driver Online that the offender is a licensed Taxi Driver. The problem that TDO had is that no one seemed to know just exactly where this rapist was licensed? We didn't even know if he was a bone fide Hackney carriage or private hire driver? Trafford CID flatly refused to state where he was licensed or whether he was a hackney or private hire driver? After making extensive enquiries TDO can confirm that the rapist is not a licensed Taxi or Private hire driver but a an unlicensed PSV minibus driver operating under section 75 1 B of the 1976 LGMPA.
Trafford licensing has had numerous enquiries about this gentlemen and are quite distressed that people are ringing up accusing them of licensing rapists. The Rapist is one Murtaza Mateen from Lime crescent, Old Trafford, which is a stone's throw from Manchester United Football ground.
Mateen aged 47 was driving a 12 or 15 seater minibus on Manchester road Partington, which is close to Sale, Altrincham, Lymn and other parts of Cheshire. His victim was a 42-year-old woman who either lived in Partington, which is primarily made up of a large council estate, or on the outskirts of Partington where you will find the occasional isolated private dwelling. Partington is surrounded by open countryside so it is rather obvious that a female walking home at 3-30 in the morning is taking a huge risk in exposing herself to the dangers of the night.
Mateen drove past his victim then stopped and waited for her to walk past his vehicle so he could entice her into his minibus. He then drove on for a short-distance, stopped his vehicle and committed the rape.
We have JD to thank for this diligent investigation in revealing the facts of this incident. JD would not believe this rapist was a Taxi Driver until he had concrete evidence that proved beyond all reasonable doubt that he was? As it is, JD's instincts were well founded and perhaps the Taxi trade owes him a debt of gratitude for exposing the facts.
We all campaigned for the removal of section 75.1.B of the 1976 Local Government Miscellaneous Provisions act but if any case highlighted the need for its removal then surely this is that case?
I'm going to leave the press release as the police issued it and let you form your own opinions.
Murtaza Mateen born on 10th January 1960 of Lime Crescent, Old Trafford was found guilty of rape on Thursday 11 January 2007, following a four-day trial at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court.
On Sunday 11 June 2006, the woman was walking home along Manchester Road in Partington at about 3.30am after a night out when she saw a taxi drive past her and stop a short distance away.
When she reached the taxi, Mateen asked her if she wanted a lift. The woman felt safe she was getting into a genuine taxi and accepted the offer. Mateen drove her a short distance before locking all the car doors. He then leant over and raped her.
The woman moved her hand towards the door handle, but Mateen noticed and the victim feared he would hurt her if she tried to escape. The woman managed to get out of the vehicle and returned home where she called police.
As part of the investigation into the rape, police obtained CCTV footage from the area and traced the taxi and Mateen as the driver. DNA evidence also linked Mateen to the rape. Mateen was arrested on suspicion of rape on Thursday 14 June 2006 and was subsequently charged following interview.
Detective Constable Alison Barber from Trafford CID and who investigated the case, said: "Mateen has denied this offence from the beginning and would not even assist in police interviews despite having photographic and DNA evidence that linked him to the crime.
"Mateen used his job as a taxi driver to persuade the woman into his car before raping her.
"This has had a devastating effect on the woman's life and I can only hope that the guilty verdict will bring some sort of comfort to her that the offender has been convicted and will remain behind bars."
Sentencing has been adjourned until Friday 26 January 2007.
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