Taxi driver jailed for four years after sexually assaulting a woman who was on a night out in Leamington

Dilruba Ramzan, aged 41 and previously of Lillington, was found guilty following a trial to sexual assault at Warwick Crown Court, where he was sentenced on Tuesday.

On the January 17 2014 a lone woman had been travelling home in a taxi driven by Ramzan, when she was sexually assaulted.

Det Con Ben Davis said: “Ramzan was aware of what he was doing that night and planned to commit this offence against a lone woman while in a position of trust as a taxi driver.

“He posed a risk of causing harm to other women by committing offences of a sexual nature within our community.

“His sentence sends a clear message to others considering preying on women and shows that Warwickshire Police and the courts will deal with them in a swift and robust manner.

“Police take these incidents very seriously, and urge any victims to come forward.”

The court heard that in an impact statement his victim ‘says she feels this man has ruined her life’ and has been in a state of shock since the incident.

John Edwards, defending, said there were a number of references for Ramzan, a family man who has lost the job he held dear after 23 years.

But Judge Sylvia de Bertodano pointed out that many of them were from people who think he is not guilty and wrongly believe him to be the victim of a miscarriage of justice.

Sentencing Ramzan, who the court heard continues to protest his innocence, the judge also ordered him to register as a sex offender for life.

Judge de Bertodano said: “In January last year, while you were working as a minicab driver, you sexually assaulted a female passenger in your taxi.

“It is perfectly clear when she delivered her friend back to her friend’s house you stayed waiting outside for over half an hour so you could be sure to be the one taking her back home alone.

“When this happened as a result of your planning, you stopped in a lay-by and activated the central locking and sexually abused her.

“You were arrested and you lied about what happened, your lies being tailored as each new piece of evidence emerged.

“Women have a right to expect they can trust taxi drivers not to use their position in this way. It was a form of abduction.

“You are still in complete denial of what happened, and you still blame her for putting you in this position but I’ve no doubt whatsoever that the jury reached the right verdict.”