Fake taxi driver picked up and raped woman after forcing his way into her home
A predatory driver who pretended to be a cabbie attacked and raped a woman in her home after forcing his way in.
Shabir Sultani, 27, has been jailed for 13 years after the sickening attack in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, last year.
The woman had been out enjoying a night with friends in Sheffield in spring last year, when she decided to go home.
Outside a nightclub, she got into a car driven by Sultani, which she thought was a taxi.
Sultani then lied to her that he was a cab driver and he would take her home.
He offered the woman vodka during the journey, but she refused.
Once they reached her home in Chesterfield, Sultani crept behind the woman to her front door and forced his way in.
He continued to kiss her despite her telling him to stop repeatedly, and raped her.
The woman managed to kick him off her.
Sultani fled the scene, but he was later tracked down and arrested thanks to CCTV footage, and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology which spotted his car.
Sultani, of Sturton Road, Sheffield, denied the charges, but he was found guilty following a trial at Derby Crown Court in November.
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The 27-year-old sentence included an extension of seven years due to dangerousness, and he was handed a Sexual Prevention Order designed to prevent him from contacting the woman, and he was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register.
The Detective Staff Investigator Beth Waite, who led the probe, commended the victim for her bravery and coming forward to report it.
She said: ‘Sultani clearly preyed on this woman on this occasion, pretending to be a taxi driver and offering to take her home.
‘Despite her repeatedly saying she wasn’t interested and asking him to leave her alone, he continued to force himself upon her, ultimately raping her.
‘I’d like to commend her bravery in coming forward and reporting this incident, and her support for the police investigation and subsequent prosecution.
‘This incident will undoubtedly have a long-lasting impact on her but her courage has ensured that we were able to bring the perpetrator to justice.
‘I hope that knowing he is now behind bars will allow her some form of peace.
‘I’d encourage anyone who has been a victim of rape or a sexual assault of any kind to please come forward and report it to us. We will listen without judgement and support you throughout.’
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