Uber Eats driver raped vulnerable woman

UBER EATS DRIVER RAPED VULNERABLE WOMAN

An Uber Eats delivery driver who returned to a customer's address in Boston and raped her after a delivery has been jailed.

Jitendrakumar Prajapati, 47, from Castle Square, Wyberton West Road, Boston, appeared at Lincoln Crown Court on 27 March.

He was sentenced to five years behind bars but received a reduction to three years and eight months after pleading guilty to the charge of rape.

The court also sentenced him to 18 months for sexual assault, to be served concurrently, and ordered his deportation.

The victim, who was considered vulnerable, ordered a delivery shortly after noon on 19 January.

Prajapati started a conversation with her, claiming he had recently relocated and was unfamiliar with others in the area.

He asked for her Instagram contact details, and they exchanged phone numbers, citing the need to work on his visa and employment.

Later that day, at around 5 pm, Prajapati returned and engaged her in further discussion before assaulting her.

After leaving her home, he sent her a message apologizing, changed his WhatsApp username, and activated a feature that made messages disappear after 24 hours.

The victim accused him of raping her, and he responded with remorse and pleading not to tell anyone.

Police investigations quickly identified Prajapati, tracing his vehicle used during the initial delivery.

He was arrested around 9 pm on suspicion of rape and non-fatal strangulation, though the latter charge was eventually dropped at court.