
A self-employed taxi driver is facing a prison sentence after being found guilty of a series of "predatory" sexual offences against women in Hastings.
Abdulhamid Alammar, 34, from St Leonards, was convicted following a trial at Lewes Crown Court on Friday, March 6, in relation to a 2024 attack that came to light during a separate investigation.
The court heard that on November 29, 2024, a woman in her 30s booked a taxi to take her home from a friend's house.
Alammar picked her up but, instead of taking her to her destination, drove her to a secluded location where he sexually assaulted her. These offences were only discovered while police were investigating a separate sexual assault reported by another woman in April 2025.
Alammar was already in custody for the April allegations when he was charged for the November incident.
In a trial held in October 2025, he was convicted of sexual assault regarding the April case. Following his most recent trial, a jury found him guilty of sexual assault and causing a person to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity for the November 2024 attack, though he was cleared of false imprisonment.
Detective Constable Christina Bales, of the Hastings Safeguarding Investigation Unit, praised the survivors for their bravery, stating: “These were serious and predatory offences committed against women who should have felt safe. I would like to commend the victims for their courage in coming forward and supporting the investigation.”
Alammar remains in custody and will be sentenced for all convictions at Lewes Crown Court on a date yet to be fixed.
A spokesperson for Sussex Police added that they remain committed to supporting survivors, saying, "Victims will be listened to, supported and treated with respect."

The decision, made by the New Forest District Council’s general purposes and licensing committee on Friday, March 6, comes despite warnings from the trade that drivers are already struggling with a "spiralling" cost of l

The decision follows growing frustration over out-of-town drivers working in the city under licences issued by other authorities, such as Wolverhampton.

A report by consulting firm Jacobs suggests a series of increases to account for inflation and rising costs, including a plan to raise the terminal drop-off and pick-up fee from £6 to £7.

The crash, which involved a BMW and a Saab on Pleasley Road, left both drivers trapped inside as fire began to break out.

Mr. A, who has spent over 15 years in the trade, faced a review of his suitability after he hit a member of the public on what was described as a “dark and dangerous corner” in April 2025.

Shabir Sultani, 27, targeted his victim after a night out in Sheffield city centre in early 2025 lying to her by claiming he was a licensed driver who would get her home safely.

Katie Lam, the MP for Weald of Kent, has formally asked Ashford Borough Council to rethink its decision to stop pub landlord Paul Hartfield, from driving his customers home.

Cabbi’s Women in Taxi event, sponsored by Veezu, took place in Bristol on 6 March, bringing together female leaders, operators, industry partners and entrepreneurs from across the UK taxi sector.

Qamar Farooq faced a city council licensing committee following allegations that he refused to use his meter and instead attempted to charge passengers a fixed price.

With women representing less than 7% of all private hire and taxi drivers in the UK1 - and less than 2.5% in London – the industry faces a significant gender imbalance.

Hundreds of Derby private hire drivers are waiting on a high-stakes council decision next week that could determine the future of the local trade.

Founded by 26-year-old Martyna Kalarikkal, "Monroe" currently operates with eight female drivers under licenses from Middlesbrough and Stockton Councils.

Official documents set to be discussed at a licensing meeting on Thursday 5 March, reveal deep concerns that increasing licence fees for a second year in a row could cripple the industry further.

The incident, which took place on February 23 along the popular seafront promenade, left a 65-year-old Irish tourist with serious head and facial injuries.

James Hutton appeared before city councillors on 3 March following a series of complaints, including allegations of "aggressive or threatening behaviour" and failing to display his official badge.

When they reached the destination and he asked for the fare, the thug sitting in the back seat hit the poor driver on his head with a glass bottle and ran off without paying.

Thomas Caswell proves neurodiversity is no barrier to the open road.

An Uber driver, 33-year-old army veteran Tim Letts, donated one of his kidneys to his 71-year-old passenger, Bill Sumiel.

Uber’s chief product officer, Sachin Kansal, stated he would be “very disappointed” if the 2030 milestone was not met, noting that “London is going to be a very high priority market.”

The updated charges are scheduled to take effect following a 24-day consultation period, during which the public and trade members can submit objections.
