
A takeaway driver who posed as a taxi driver to sexually assault a vulnerable woman has finally been jailed after spending four years as a fugitive.
Abdul Samad, 43, was sentenced to 29 months behind bars on Thursday, February 12, after being apprehended at Heathrow Airport last month.
The attack took place in July 2019, when Samad lured the 20-year-old victim into his car in Glasgow’s Tradeston area by making her believe he was a cab driver.
During the journey to the city's west end, he repeatedly groped the woman and forced her to perform a sex act on him while driving on the M74 motorway.
Although a jury found him guilty in 2022, the "cowardly" father-of-two vanished before the verdict was delivered, leading to a year-long police search.
During the trial, Samad offered a bizarre defence, claiming he was acting as a "good Samaritan" and that the victim had actually assaulted him.
Prosecutor Mark Allan challenged his story, asking: "Why on earth would this stranger tell these evil lies about a man who did nothing to her?"
Samad insisted the woman was lying, even when faced with forensic evidence that proved physical contact had occurred. He further denied asking the victim why she wasn't wearing a bra or if she had a condom.
Sentencing Samad, Sheriff Michael Hanlon praised the victim's courage while condemning the attacker’s lack of accountability.
"You took advantage of her and she was left traumatised," the Sheriff said. "I commend her bravery in reporting the matter and giving evidence against you. This was in sharp contrast to your cowardice to not turn up and hear the jury's verdict."
The court heard that Samad continues to deny the crimes and has resorted to blaming his victim.
Sheriff Hanlon noted that the assault has had a "long lasting and enduring" impact on the woman's life.
"You have shown no remorse for what you did or the effect on your victim," the Sheriff added. "I see no alternative to a custodial sentence given the serious nature."
In addition to his prison sentence, Samad has been placed on the sex offenders register for the next 10 years.

James Whitehouse, 29, has been jailed for 42 months after he and an accomplice targeted the driver as he sat parked near The Golden Cup pub last February.

Local taxi drivers in south Cumbria are facing an uncertain future as out-of-town Uber drivers continue to move into the region, according to Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron.

Philip Dookie, who is of no fixed abode, admitted to stabbing and robbing the driver during the incident on Holland House Way last February.

The dispute has become so heated that some frustrated cabbies have reportedly taken matters into their own hands by manually cancelling the charging sessions of the "robocars."

If the licensing committee approves the change, a standard five-mile daytime journey will climb to £15.62, rising from the current rate of £14.30.

Stacey Lee Dodds, 36, and William Keith Allen, 46, were arrested after the driver was targeted for his cash takings in the Walker area during the early hours of Friday, January 30.

Officers are searching for a man who reportedly attacked a vehicle in the early hours of Saturday, 17 January, causing "extensive damage" while shouting racist slurs at the driver.

Driver & Vehicle Licensing (DVL) has opened applications for those interested in obtaining a specialised licence to help improve travel options for passengers with disabilities.

Aaran Barden, 33, of no fixed abode, carried out a series of vile attacks in Middleton last August, beginning with a taxi driver taking him to Middleton on August 12 last year.

Local cabbies have hit out at Fife Council for keeping them in the dark, describing the lack of notice about the January 23 application as “extremely poor communication.”

The revelation comes as the U.S. firm Waymo prepares to launch a robotaxi pilot in London this April, with plans to partner with Uber later in the year.

Caerphilly CB Council, Gwent Police, and local taxi firms have teamed up to ensure matchdays remain safe for both passengers and the drivers working hard to get them home.

Over the weekend of February 7 and 8, carpet tacks were deliberately scattered across taxi bays at the bus station, causing a string of punctures for local firms.

The partnership provides tens of thousands of drivers across 180 major cities including the UK and Ireland, with access to discounted public charging and a simplified system for finding power points.

Mohammad Khan says the constant battle with potholes is making his job nearly impossible, explaining: "You try to avoid one pothole, you'll end up in another one and it's damaging the car. "

The decision follows a petition from drivers who asked for a 10 per cent increase to the daytime rate and a rise in the minimum fare from £6 to £7. Nighttime rates and bank holiday prices will remain the same.

The investigation centres on an evening confrontation on Matilda Street that took place around 7:15 pm on Sunday, January 18.

Rashid Kwabena Boachie, 44, is now on trial facing charges of rape, attempted rape, and sexual assault.

Derek Andrew Simpson faced Carlisle Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 9 February, where he pleaded not guilty to a single charge of unlawfully and maliciously causing grievous bodily harm.

A Bolton private hire driver has had his licence suspended for eight weeks after council officials ruled he was not a "fit and proper person to hold a licence at this time."
