Taxi driver who groped 19-year-old passenger jailed

Muhammad Zia kissed the woman's hand and put his hand on the inside of her thigh, while the car doors were locked, a court heard. He then grabbed her when she got out of the vehicle.

Zia, of Paxton Road, Stourbridge, was told by Judge Michael Challinor said: "Taxis play an important role in keeping people, especially young women, safe at night. To that extent taxi drivers are trusted.

"If you breach that trust, you will go to prison as a deterrent and punishment to let others know as taxi drivers they must behave appropriately at all times, or they will be punished as you will be punished."

On October 25, 2014, the victim had been out with friends, and was not 'in the habit' of drinking alcohol.

Mr Thomas Spratt, prosecuting, said on this occasion she had 'consumed a lot', and as a result decided to head home.

At the time Zia, aged 39, had been employed as a taxi driver and picked the victim up in the early hours of October 26.

Once at her house, Zia took her hand and kissed it, then placed his hand on the inside of her thigh.

Mr Spratt said she was unable to get out of the taxi as the child locks were on.

The victim's statement, read to the court, said Zia got out of the cab, walked around to the passenger side and opened the door.

She attempted to walk past him but he stood in front of her, grabbing her and physically restraining her, and began to plead with her that he should be allowed to go into the house. She pulled from his grip, and went into the house.

The next morning the victim told her mother what happened, who then called police.

Mr Thomas Schofield, mitigating, said Zia was previously of 'impeccable character', and references given to the judge speak of another side to him.

A pre-sentence report assesses his risk of re-offending as low, and Mr Schofield said: "This is a man who has already been significantly punished for what he has done by the loss of his licence as a taxi driver, and the and the consequential financial difficulties."

Zia is now 'entirely supported' by his wife, and they are having difficulty paying their mortgage.

He was convicted of sexual assault at Dudley Magistrates Court in June, and committed to Wolverhampton Crown Court for sentence.

He was jailed for six months and will also have to notify as a sex offender for seven years.

Since the court proceedings, Zia has suffered depression and anxiety, and was taken to hospital by ambulance in July.

Upon sentencing, Judge Challinor said the victim had been unwell and wanted to go home in the early hours of October 26.

He said: "She hailed your taxi and you asked her to sit in the front of the cab. Shortly thereafter you began to molest her by kissing her hand and putting your hand on her thigh close to her vaginal area.

"She was trapped in the taxi because of the child locks. It was the early hours of the morning and to that extent she was vulnerable to your advances.

"This was deliberate touching of this young girl with a view to a sexual encounter. It was not penetrative but was nonetheless distressing."