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Posted on the 12th January 2026 in PHTM News

JURY DISCHARGED IN OXFORD TAXI SEXUAL ASSAULT TRIAL AFTER FAILING TO REACH VERDICT

The trial of an Oxford taxi driver accused of sexually assaulting two female passengers has ended without a verdict, after a jury at Oxford Crown Court was unable to reach a decision.

Mohammed Kharal, 42, stood trial facing two counts of sexual assault allegedly committed on August 28, 2022.

The court previously heard that Mr. Kharal had picked up the two women in Oxford to transport them to Witney, stopping at a cash machine and a garage during the journey.

On Thursday, January 8, following a majority direction from the bench, the jury foreman confirmed that the panel would be unable to reach any verdicts.

Addressing the jurors as he discharged them, Judge Michael Roques said: "I appreciate it's a frustrating outcome as far as you are concerned. You go with my thanks. I am extremely grateful to you for coming to court."

Throughout the trial, the jury heard conflicting accounts of the night in question. Prosecution barrister Gavin Pottinger argued that the complainants had no motive to lie, stating:

  • "Why would they make this up?"  "Was it a decision they made to go against him in some kind of plot?"

  • "They were reluctant to report it. They just wanted to make sure something like this didn't happen again."

In contrast, defence barrister Kuljeet Dobe highlighted what he described as a lack of immediate protest from the complainants. In his closing speech, he told the jury:

  • "She didn't say 'stop' or 'get off' or scream when you would expect an immediate reaction."

  • "She says it was an ongoing sexual assault. She didn't tell him to stop."

The prosecution has been granted 14 days to review the case and decide whether to seek a retrial.

The matter is scheduled to return to court on January 22.

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