Follow PHTM
Posted on the 2nd May 2025 in PHTM News
NOTTINGHAM UBER DRIVER JAILED FOR 11 YEARS AFTER SEXUALLY ASSAULTING TWO YOUNG WOMEN
A married Nottingham Uber driver, Zaheer Hussain, 45, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison after being found guilty of sexually assaulting two young female passengers in his cab.
Hussain further compounded his crimes by offering one of his victims £6,000 to drop her complaint, a charge to which he later pleaded guilty.
Nottingham Crown Court heard how Hussain preyed on the vulnerable young women in 2022 and 2023. One 18-year-old victim, celebrating her birthday and intoxicated, was driven to an isolated location and sexually assaulted.
Judge Nirmal Shant KC stated: "She was unsurprisingly terrified, she said in her evidence she thought you were going to kill her."
The second victim, who was "alone and distressed" after drinking, was also sexually assaulted after Hussain offered her a ride to McDonald's and invited her to the front seat.
The court was played a chilling phone call from early 2024 in which Hussain attempted to bribe one of the victims. He asked her to meet him, saying: "I have got the money, let’s get it done and dusted, you enjoy it and I’ll get on with the rest of my life."
The victim bravely refused the offer, and the courtroom erupted in applause as she read her powerful impact statement, declaring: "He preyed on what he thought was a young vulnerable girl but he picked on the wrong girl that night."
The profound impact of Hussain's actions was further highlighted in the victims' statements. One, a former university student, said: "That night changed me from an extrovert person and that night significantly shifted my perspective about going out late, getting into taxis and the nightlife scene."
The second victim tearfully explained: "This man has stolen my youth. When everyone goes home there’s a fresh tomorrow but not for me."
Judge Shant condemned Hussain's "abuse of trust" and the "lasting damage" he had inflicted.
In addition to the lengthy custodial sentence, Hussain was handed a five-year extended licence for dangerousness, placed on the sex offender register for life, and subjected to a lifetime restraining order.
Read another story
- MURDER INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED AFTER HERTS TAXI DRIVER FOUND DEAD IN BURNT OUT CAR
Police have launched a murder investigation following the death of a 47-year-old Hertfordshire taxi driver, Jesbir Singh Khela, whose body was discovered in a burnt-out car earlier this year.
- WELLINGTON VEHICLE CHECK OPERATION NETS 27 OFFENCES IN TELFORD ROAD SAFETY DRIVE
The initiative, which also saw council licensing officers checking the condition and compliance of taxis, has been hailed a success by both authorities.
- KNIFE WIELDING MAN JAILED FOR OVER FOUR YEARS AFTER TERRIFYING OXFORD TAXI DRIVER
Aaron Johnson received his sentence at Oxford Crown Court on Friday, 25 April, having pleaded guilty to charges of robbery and possession of a knife in a public place.
- UBER OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES IN PENDLE PROMISES NEW TRANSPORT OPTIONS AND DRIVER OPPORTUNITIES
The launch follows an onboarding process that began last month at Lomeshaye Business Park in Nelson, where hundreds of local drivers were expected to register for both the Pendle and Blackburn areas.
- EAST LOTHIAN TAXI FARES COULD SOAR BY 25 PER CENT AMID RISING OPERATOR COSTS
Licensing chiefs are set to review the current tariff next week following a request from taxi firms citing rising National Insurance contributions and the increase in the living wage.
- AVIEMORE TAXI DRIVER LOSES LICENCE AFTER DRUG DRIVING OFFENCE
Phillipe Brooks, 58, admitted to driving with 7.7 micrograms of cannabis per litre of blood in his system, exceeding the legal limit of 2mg.
- KNOWSLEY DRIVERS FACE INCOME LOSS DUE TO TEST DELAYS HOLDING UP LICENCE RENEWALS
One driver, Tony, who has worked in the area for nearly 40 years, claims he faces a near 10-week wait after his licence expired in April.
- SWINDON TAXI DRIVER REPORTEDLY PUNCHED AFTER FARE DISPUTE
The incident reportedly occurred around 1 pm on Sunday, 27 April, in Sandgate, near the Greenbridge Roundabout.
- INVERNESS TAXI CHECKS REVEAL HIGH COMPLIANCE DESPITE MINOR INFRINGEMENTS
A joint operation by Police Scotland and Highland Council's trading standards team in Inverness city centre on Friday, 25 April, saw roadside checks conducted on 30 taxi and private hire vehicles.
- PERTH COUNCIL SEEKS VIEWS ON TAXI LICENCE LIMIT AMIDST GROWING DEMAND
The move follows an "Unmet Demand Survey" which highlighted longer passenger wait times compared to pre-pandemic levels and continued difficulties for disabled users, particularly wheelchair users.
- GLOBAL STRIKE SHAKES RIDE HAILING GIANTS AS DRIVERS DEMAND FAIRER CONDITIONS
Private hire drivers across the Uk and globally are staging a 24-hour strike today, 1 May, in an effort to demand better pay, improved working conditions and protections for gig economy workers.
- OVER 400 TAXIS CHECKED UNDER LICENSING OPERATION ACROSS CHESTER
Operation Recordings, carried out by Chester Beat Management Team and the Special Constabulary, was established in a bid to ensure taxis were safe, correctly licensed and compliant with their regulations.
- CORNWALL TAXI DRIVERS FEAR FARE UNIFICATION COULD "GUT" RURAL SERVICES
Drivers fear the move is a "backdoor route" to scrapping local fare zones, ultimately pushing drivers towards more profitable urban areas and leaving rural communities behind.
- LEEDS MAN JAILED AFTER THREATENING TAXI DRIVER AND KICKING POLICE OFFICER
Smith "refused to get out of the taxi" and was "threatening to the driver and threatening to smash his face in." When police arrived, Smith continued his aggressive behaviour.
- WEEKEND POLICING OPERATION IN MACCLESFIELD FOCUSES ON TAXI SAFETY
Macclesfield Local Policing Unit joined forces with Cheshire East Council in an operation designed keep people safe.
- SOUTH STAFFS TO INTRODUCE PANIC SWITCH AUDIO RECORDING FOR ENHANCED SAFETY IN TAXIS
This move by South Staffordshire Council's licensing committee aims to bolster safety following a worrying spate of assaults on taxi drivers in the region.
- UBER ANNOUNCEMENT CASH FOR RIDERS IS COMING TO YOUR CITY
From Thursday 1 May, we will be introducing cash as a payment option for riders and we will be letting you decide if you want to take cash trips.
- 12 MONTH COMMUNITY ORDER FOR VILE RACIAL ABUSE OF CHORLEY CABBIE
The man, in his 50s, pleaded guilty at a pre-trial hearing on December 11, 2024, to racially/religiously aggravated intentional harassment/alarm following the incident on May 12, 2024.
- ROGUE READING TAXI / PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER HIT WITH FINE AND DRIVING BAN FOR ILLEGAL PLYING
Talal Bin Mumtaz Raja, from Reading, was found guilty of four offences at Reading Magistrates' Court on April 7, 2025.
- TEENAGE ARMED ROBBER JAILED FOR 30 MONTHS AFTER TARGETING ABERDEEN TAXI DRIVERS
Drug-fuelled Ellis Gardiner pressed a knife into the face of one driver, drawing blood, and robbed another of £50 after brandishing a screwdriver at him.
