PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER GUILTY OF SEXUAL ASSAULT GETS LICENSE SUSPENDED
A private hire driver has had his license suspended after sexually assaulting a woman he delivered a takeaway to in Edinburgh.Usama Yaseen, 27, has been placed on the sex offenders registry following an incident in Fife on March 9 of the previous year.
During the court hearing at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court, it was revealed that Yaseen told the woman, “oh my God, you’re gorgeous,” before asking for her phone number.
He later returned to her address and was invited inside for coffee.
While sitting with her, he touched her chest and stomach, despite her immediate objection, “you don’t do that.” Yaseen left the scene, and police were contacted.
They took her statement, and DNA evidence confirmed his involvement as his DNA was found on her dress.
Yaseen was found guilty at the sheriff court on June 13 of this year.
Police Scotland then requested his private hire license to be suspended, citing his conviction for a serious sexual offence against a stranger and questioning his fitness to hold the license.
The license was initially granted but later suspended until the end of its validity on August 5, following a committee decision to extend the suspension, which is normally six weeks.
Yaseen had applied for the license in August 2024, which was granted on August 16, 2024.
The incident is set for sentencing on July 28.
The committee noted that Yaseen could still apply to renew his license once the suspension ends, but the suspension was extended until the license’s expiration date.
