A taxi driver sexually assaulted an intoxicated woman travelling in his vehicle and continued attacking her after she started crying. The incident left the woman a changed person and no longer able to trust men.
WalesOnline reports that Bahaaelden Ibrahim, 44, sexually assaulted the victim in Cardiff on November 7, 2021, after she had been out in the city centre watching a Wales rugby international.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday 18 April, heard the victim described herself as "tired, tipsy, and sleepy" and wanted to go home after drinking throughout the day.
She arranged to get a taxi to her boyfriend's home and she was picked up by the defendant.
After going to a cash machine Ibrahim was driving when he grabbed the victim's hand and forced it onto his penis and made her masturbate him.
She became upset and began crying hysterically. The defendant told her to stop crying and she got out of the car to walk the remainder of the journey home.
Prosecutor Alex Orndal said the victim reported the matter to the police the following day and Ibrahim was arrested. He denied the offences and claimed he had been assaulted by the victim.
Ibrahim, from Cardiff, was found guilty of sexual assault following a trial at Swansea Crown Court. The court heard he had one previous conviction for obtaining pecuniary advantage by deception.
The victim said she no longer feels comfortable getting in taxis, no longer likes being on her own, and is no longer social and outgoing person she once was.
She added: "I struggle to avoid haunting thoughts in my mind. I find it hard to sleep and be in the car on my own. I feel stupid it happened to me although it's not my fault....
"What I do know is this man is dangerous and should not be allowed alone with vulnerable females."
In mitigation Susan Ferrier said her client had worked as a taxi driver for many years and had never been accused of an incident like this previously. She said the defendant still maintained his innocence but accepted the verdict of the jury.
The defence barrister said Ibrahim was married and has three children, who would be punished if he were sent to prison, and was also supporting family in Sudan.
Sentencing, Recorder Caroline Rees KC said: "[The victim] should have been able to trust you to do your job and take her home safely.
"As a taxi driver entrusted with getting a woman home safe that night the breach of that trust can only be met by an immediate custodial sentence."
Ibrahim was sentenced to a total of two years imprisonment.
He was also made subject to a restraining order for five years and sex offender notification requirements for 10 years.
Source: https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/taxi-driver-sexually-assaulted-crying-29016819
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