Taxi driver who kept condoms and lube in glove box jailed for raping passenger

A ‘predatory’ mini cab driver who kept a pencil case of condoms and lube in his glove compartment has been jailed for raping a passenger.

Homayon Ahmadi, 33, attacked the woman, aged in her 40s, in Croydon after picking her up from a hospital earlier on the evening of April 19, 2021.

Three months later, on July 25, a 21-year-old woman phoned police to say she and a friend had been molested after being collected from a central London nightclub.

Ahmadi, of Uxbridge, west London, was given a 13-year prison sentence, with a seven-year extended licence, after he admitted rape and two counts of sexual assault at Croydon Crown Court.

In a statement, his first victim said she suffers constant flashbacks and ‘paralysing fear’, My London reports.

She added: ‘The rape has had a major impact on my life, and I am constantly afraid and am no longer able to focus on my studies.’

Detective Constable Natalie Alchin, who led the investigation, said: ‘Ahmadi is a predatory offender, and we are pleased he is behind bars and unable to cause further harm.

‘The victims in the case played a vital part in his conviction and we hope that this case encourages other women who have been subject to sexual offences to come forward.’

The first victim called 999 on April 19 to report that she had been raped by a mini cab driver who picked her up after she had been discharged from hospital.

She was still wearing her hospital slippers and was in a vulnerable state, the court heard.

Alisdair Smith, prosecuting, said: ‘She approached this defendant in a car, and he was, the prosecution say, acting officially as a taxi or at least purported to be one and on that basis, she went with him.

‘She was soon aware that she had no way to pay and said her partner at home would pay upon their arrival. The defendant’s demand was that she have sex with him.’

He told jurors Ahmadi then pulled into a garage in Croydon and raped her.

Detectives immediately launched an investigation and began extensive enquiries to try and identify the driver and vehicle.

While that investigation was ongoing, the 21-year-old victim phoned police to report her attack.

Shortly after booking their cab home, her phone died, and the students started asking drivers parked up outside the nightclub if they were there to pick them up.

When they approached Ahmadi’s window, he lied he was their driver and whisked them away.

They realised within minutes he was going the wrong way to their address and became worried when he stopped off to buy whisky, offered them a swig and suggested they go back to his.

Ahmadi then pulled over again, this time to demand one of the women sit beside him in the front.

Both then got out and Ahmadi sexually assaulted them as they tried to leave.

Police trawled through CCTV at the shop the driver stopped off at and used mobile phone data to pinpoint a suspect.

Ahmadi was later arrested after being identified from a media appeal using a still image from the footage.

In his police interview, Ahmadi denied all of the offences.

A search of his car found a purple pencil case filled with condoms and baby oil in the glove compartment.

DC Alchin said: ‘There may be other victims of Ahmadi who until now have not spoken to police. If you believe this is you, please contact us on 101. We have specialist officers who will support you.’

Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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