LIAQAT ALI SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS FOR RAPING TEENAGE GIRL IN MIDDLESBROUGH
A Middlesbrough-based taxi driver named Liaqat Ali has been sentenced to seven years in prison after being found guilty of raping a 16-year-old passenger.In addition to his custodial sentence, Ali, who is 42 years old and married, has been permanently disqualified from operating as a taxi driver, a ban that will remain in effect for the rest of his life.
The disturbing events unfolded on March 2 of this year when the teenage girl, who had been celebrating a birthday party with friends in Middlesbrough, decided to hire a taxi to get home.
Ali was operating a licensed hackney carriage on Linthorpe Road at the time.
The girl, clearly intoxicated and feeling half-asleep with her head leaning against the seatbelt, trusted the driver to safely transport her home.
According to the evidence presented at Teesside Crown Court, the young girl initially assumed she was in safe hands.
However, her trust was betrayed when Ali drove to a secluded area in Acklam instead of taking her directly home.
After stopping there, the girl needed to use the toilet, and upon her return to the vehicle, Ali engaged in a sexually assaultive act by forcing her to perform a sex act.
Once she finally reached home, the teenage girl was visibly distressed, screaming and pulling her hair as she recounted her ordeal to her mother.
Her account of the incident prompted a police investigation.
During questioning, Ali initially admitted to having picked up the girl but denied any wrongdoing.
It was only after DNA evidence linked him to the crime that he changed his statement, claiming the sexual encounter was consensual.
Throughout his trial at Teesside Crown Court, Ali, who spoke through an interpreter, insisted that the girl had initiated touching him, a version of events that the jury did not believe.
The court found that the evidence clearly established that Ali had raped the teenager, who is now 17 years old.
Although Ali denied the charge of rape, he was convicted by a majority verdict.
Judge George Moorhouse delivered the sentencing in the case and emphasized the gravity of Ali’s actions.
The judge sentenced him to seven years in prison and ordered an indefinite sexual offences prevention order (SOPO).
The prosecution, led by Christine Egerton, argued that there was an element of breach of trust, given that Ali was seen as a safe figure by the girl.
The SOPO included a mandatory condition preventing Ali from ever working as a taxi driver again.
In his remarks to Ali, Judge Moorhouse stated, “You must never drive a taxi again.
That will remain in force for the rest of your life.” The judge described the offence as very serious, highlighting that Ali had been in a position of trust and duty of care towards the girl.
The judge also noted that Ali was aware she was intoxicated and indicated that his actions could be seen as abduction.
Ali’s solicitor, Paul Abrahams, sought to mitigate the severity of the sentence, describing Ali as a family man of good character who had been employed throughout his life.
He emphasized that Ali’s imprisonment would have significant repercussions for his wife and children.
This case underscores the disturbing abuse of trust and vulnerability in situations where individuals are supposed to be protected.
The court’s decision reflects the seriousness with which such offences are treated, and the lifetime ban on Ali working as a taxi driver aims to prevent any future harm in similar circumstances in Middlesbrough.
