"Predatory and disgusting" Uber driver convicted of sexually assaulting passenger
15 October 2019, 16:06
An Uber driver has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a female passenger as she vomited out the front door of his cab.
Temur Shah, 45, of Park Crescent, Harrow, collected the 27-year-old woman in the early hours of 15 January 2018 from an address in the West End and partway through the journey insisted she move to the front seat.
Shortly after the passenger moved into the front of the vehicle she complained to Shah about feeling unwell.
He stopped the cab and leaned across the female to open the front passenger door so she could be sick out of the vehicle.
During a one-week trial, Isleworth Crown Court heard how Shah touched the woman sexually as he leaned across her and continued to whilst she was vomiting.
He was convicted of sexual assault on Monday and has been bailed ahead of sentencing which is due at the same court on 12 November.
His private hire licence was "immediately" revoked by Transport for London.
The passenger stayed in the Uber as she had no money or battery on her phone to call for help, however, she told Shah not to touch her again.
When they reached her north London home, she reported the incident to the police who conducted a thorough investigation through the Met's Taxi and Private Hire Policing Team.
Using CCTV, viewing GPS data from Uber and speaking with both the private hire company and the person who booked the cab on the victim's behalf officers identified Shah as the suspect.
He was arrested on 2 February 2018 and was released under investigation until being charged on 19 January this year.
Detective Superintendent Andy Cox, from the Roads and Transport Policing Command, said: "Shah despicably took advantage of his position as a trusted licensed driver and sexually assaulted a passenger in a vulnerable state.
"His conviction was down to a meticulous investigation which left the jury in no doubt as to his guilt.
"If you ever experience unwanted sexual behaviour, report it to the police. You will always be taken seriously and the incident will be fully investigated."
Mandy McGregor, head of transport policing and community safety at TfL, said: "This attack on a vulnerable passenger was predatory and disgusting, and we are pleased to see that Shah has been convicted.
"I would like to thank the young woman for coming forward and reporting this so TfL and the police could investigate and take action against the driver. We expect the highest standards from TfL licensed taxi and private hire drivers."
