SYED AL FROM MANCHESTER SENTENCED FOR GROPING TEENAGE GIRLS AND SHOWING UNHEALTHY INTEREST IN MINICAB INCIDENTS
In April 2018, a disturbing case emerged involving Syed Al, a minicab driver operating within Manchester, who was found guilty of engaging in inappropriate and criminal behavior towards female passengers.The court proceedings revealed a pattern of misconduct that has left a lasting impact on the victims and raised serious concerns about trust and safety in the private hire industry.
Syed Al, aged 43, was convicted of sexually assaulting a female passenger after she ordered a minicab through an app.
The incident took place in Manchester, where Al was employed by the private hire firm Club Cars, based in Trafford.
The court heard that during the ride, Al-Zia locked the doors of the vehicle, began making inappropriate comments, and asked the woman if she had a boyfriend.
When she disclosed her age, he responded by saying he thought she looked '15'.
The situation escalated when Al-Zia sexually assaulted her and demanded her mobile number before allowing her to leave the vehicle.
The victim has since reported feeling more distrustful of people and hesitant to use minicab services, highlighting the emotional and psychological toll of the assault.
The following night, Al-Zia's misconduct continued when he engaged in flirtatious behavior with two teenage girls.
Sensing danger, the girls requested to be let out of the vehicle.
As they attempted to exit, Al-Zia grabbed one of the girls by the arm and told her she should get back in the car.
He only released her when they began to call someone for help, indicating a clear pattern of predatory behavior and a disregard for their safety.
During the court hearing, Ms.
Claire Brocklebank, representing Al-Zia, argued that her client had worked diligently throughout his life, first at a shop and later as a taxi driver.
She emphasized that he had lost his taxi license immediately following the incident, which had a significant impact on his livelihood.
Brocklebank also highlighted Al-Zia's personal circumstances, mentioning his wife’s slipped disc and his role as a full-time father to three children, asserting that he relies on his work to support his family.
However, Judge Bernadette Baxter was unequivocal in her judgment.
Addressing Al-Zia directly, she stated, “You know very well what you have done.
You think you are entitled to do what you did, well you are not.
You will have to address that.
As a taxi driver, you are a trusted person.
When people get into a taxi, they rely on who is driving the vehicle not to assault or molest them.” The judge also expressed her concern about Al-Zia’s apparent 'unhealthy interest' in teenage girls, underscoring the seriousness of his actions and the breach of trust involved.
Al-Zia was sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court to a two-year suspended jail term.
In addition to the suspension, he was ordered to complete 30 hours of rehabilitation, perform 200 hours of unpaid work, and register as a sex offender for the next ten years.
The court’s decision reflects the gravity of his misconduct and the need to protect the public from further harm caused by individuals in positions of trust within the private hire industry.
