DUNDEE TAXI DRIVER SAIFAL ZAVERI SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS ON TEENAGE PASSENGERS IN DUNDEE AND MONIFIETH
In August 2023, a disturbing case of sexual predation involving a Dundee-based taxi driver, Saifal Zaveri, came to a conclusion in the courts.Zaveri, aged 42, was found guilty of assaulting two teenage passengers during separate incidents while working as a taxi driver in Dundee.
His actions have shocked the local community and highlighted serious concerns about passenger safety and the conduct of licensed drivers in the area.
One of the victims, a 17-year-old student, was picked up outside her home in Dundee.
Instead of a routine journey, Zaveri targeted her for a sexual assault.
The young woman recounted her ordeal in court, describing how Zaveri pulled into a lay-by during the ride.
She expressed her fear and distress, stating, “I was scared.
I just remember him going on about sexual things.
First of all, he was saying I was good looking and then he went to kissing me.
I had a top on with a zip down the front of it and he unzipped it.” She further testified that Zaveri became aggressive, and she was ultimately raped during the encounter.
The victim managed to escape and later contacted a friend via Snapchat, visibly upset and shaken.
The second victim, a 16-year-old girl, was also targeted by Zaveri during a journey from Dundee to Monifieth in Angus.
She was seated in the front of his taxi when he assaulted her.
Zaveri, who is also from Dundee, claimed in his defense that the sexual activity was consensual.
However, the court found his claims unconvincing and convicted him of serious sexual assault charges.
It was revealed during the trial that Zaveri had a prior conviction for stalking a teenage girl when he was 36 years old.
This history of predatory behavior added weight to the court’s judgment.
Zaveri, who previously served as the director of Abertay Cabs until April 2021, denied the charges of rape and sexual assault but was convicted after a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh in June.
His actions were described by the court as “opportunistic and predatory,” reflecting a pattern of exploiting his position as a taxi driver to prey on vulnerable young women.
At the sentencing hearing held at Glasgow High Court, Lord Fairley sentenced Zaveri to a total of 11 years in prison, with an actual custodial term of eight years.
The court also ordered that Zaveri be placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.
Additionally, he will be subject to three years of supervised release following his release from prison.
The judge emphasized the seriousness of the crimes, stating, “You were convicted by a jury of charges of serious sexual assaults on your passengers of your licensed taxi.
Both of the complainants were teenagers at the time.” During the court proceedings, a woman from Zaveri’s family and friends collapsed in tears as he was led away in handcuffs to the cells.
The victims’ stories left a profound impact on those present, highlighting the gravity of the offenses committed by the taxi driver.
The young woman who was raped described her experience to the jurors, recounting how Zaveri’s behavior escalated from inappropriate comments to sexual assault.
She said, “He was aggressive before going on to rape me,” and added that she was able to escape and seek help afterward.
Zaveri’s defense attempted to downplay the incidents, with the defendant claiming that there had been consensual sexual activity with the young woman and insisting that nothing inappropriate occurred with the other girl.
He expressed remorse, stating, “I let my family down,” but the court was not convinced by his explanations.
The judge’s verdict underscores the importance of safeguarding young passengers and holding accountable those who abuse their trust and authority in such positions of responsibility.
