An Uber driver has been sentenced to 16 months in prison after sexually assaulting a vulnerable female passenger during a late-night journey in London. Temur Shah, 45, from Harrow, was found guilty at Isleworth Crown Court following a detailed investigation by the Metropolitan Police’s Taxi and Private Hire Policing Team.
The offence occurred in the early hours of 15 January 2018. The 27-year-old woman, who was feeling unwell, entered Shah’s private hire vehicle in London’s West End. During the trip, Shah stopped the car and forced the distressed passenger to move to the front seat. When the victim indicated she was about to be sick, Shah stopped the vehicle again to open the door. Instead of offering help, he sexually touched her. The assault continued even as she leaned out of the vehicle to vomit.
Despite the traumatic experience, the passenger remained in the cab because her phone battery was dead and she had no money to seek assistance. She told Shah not to touch her again before he eventually dropped her near her home in north London.
Following the incident, police launched a full investigation in collaboration with Uber and the individual who booked the ride. CCTV footage and GPS data confirmed Shah’s identity as the driver. He was arrested on 2 February 2018 and charged shortly afterwards.
On 12 November, Shah was convicted and sentenced. In addition to his prison term, he has been issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Shah is banned for life from applying for any private hire or taxi licence in England and Wales. He will also remain on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.
The Met’s Taxi and Private Hire Policing Team, supported in part by Transport for London, praised the victim for coming forward. They emphasised the importance of holding rogue drivers accountable for their crimes to ensure passenger safety.
Originally published by UKNIP.
