22/09/2023
A taxi driver has been jailed for more than six years after he sexually assaulted a woman in North Staffordshire.
Motosir Ali, 42, from Bradeley, Stoke-on-Trent, was driving a taxi and picked up the unsuspecting victim in Hanley in January.
Ali drove the victim to a secluded location and then sexually assaulted her inside the car. He then drove her home.
A witness was able to get a partial registration of Ali’s vehicle following the incident. He was found by officers within a short period of time and arrested.
He was put before the courts and later pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault. He was sentenced to 75-months behind bars at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Monday (18 September).
Detective Sergeant Daniel Martin, who dealt with the case, said: “I want to thank the survivor for her exceptional bravery in supporting this investigation and making sure Ali faces justice. He was in a position of trust and abused that position to commit his offending.
“Thanks to the vigilance of the witness who helped to identify his vehicle, we were able to track him down quickly and arrest him.
“I hope this serves as an example to survivors that we are committed to pursuing offenders and delivering justice. We want survivors to know that they can speak to specially-trained officers in confidence who will do everything possible to put those responsible behind bars.”
To report sexual assault, call us on 101 or use the Live Chat function on our website – www.staffordshire.police.uk
Always call 999 in an emergency.
A taxi driver sexually assaulted a teenager in a secluded spot after picking her up outside a city centre nightclub. Dad-of-three Motosir Ali was supposed to be driving his victim home after picking up the fare in Hanley.
But Stoke on Trent Crown Court heard he instead took her to a remote location and attempted to kiss her, biting her lip. He then went on to grope her breasts and sexually assault her. Now the 42-year-old of Sherratt Street, Bradeley, has been sentenced to six years and three months in prison after pleading guilty to one charge of assault by penetration.
Prosecutor Jonathan Dickinson said: “He was working as a taxi driver. The victim had spent the evening with friends in Hanley town centre in the Fiction nightclub. At about 3.20am, she decided to take a taxi home.
“She handed her phone to the taxi driver, who agreed with her mother over the phone that once they arrived the mother would pay for the cab fare. After the call, he placed the phone in the driver’s door pocket and drove in the direction of North Staffordshire. He stopped at a secluded stop and started to try to kiss the victim. He aggressively grab the victim’s breasts under her shirt and then carried out another sexual assault.”
The court heard the victim’s mother managed to write down a section of the number plate and reported it to the police. In his police interview, Ali claimed that the victim had instigated the incident, saying it was a payment for the taxi service. However, he pleaded guilty on the day of his trial.
A victim impact statement was read out said: “I struggle to deal with emotions and suffer from anxiety. This has taken a massive dent in my mental health.”
The Sob Story..
Catherine O’Reilly, mitigating, said: “He has no previous matters recorded against him. In his letter to the court, he is very candid. He accepts that this was a dreadful incident that was frightening and traumatic to his victim. He wishes me to apologise to the victim and the court on his behalf.
“He is deeply upset about this. He has been married for 19 years and has three children. He is the main breadwinner. I ask to keep the court the custodial sentence as low as possible.”
Jailing Ali, Judge Sally Hancox told him: “All of your character references are extremely surprised you are in this position. I have read the letter from your wife. She tells of your three beautiful children and of her shock and rage when you confessed to what you had done.
“She describes she has forgiven you and how difficult it has been, emotionally and financially. She now must operate as a single parent. She is having to divide the time between her three children. You have shown the court how deeply remorseful, and you appreciate the impact of your actions on that night.
https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/taxi-driver-jailed-sex-attack-8761360