Taxi driver jailed for 'fare row' rape

A taxi driver was jailed for seven years today after being found guilty of raping a 19-year-old student when she could not pay for her fare home.

Abul Malik, 29, was convicted following a short deliberation for forcing the teenager to have sex on the back seat of the taxi following a night out on June 17.

Lewes Crown Court heard how the victim got into the taxi with two male friends and asked to go to the halls of residence at Falmer, near Brighton, East Sussex, where she was living.

When they reached Newmarket Road, the two men left the cab after only paying part of the fare, claiming they had no more money to foot the rest of the bill, the court heard.

The woman was left alone with Malik, who was angry and demanded full payment of the £6.80 fare. When she started walking, Malik followed her and offered to take her home.

She reluctantly agreed but Malik drove her to Jevington Drive in the Moulsecoomb area of Brighton where he climbed in to the back of the taxi and raped her.

Malik, of Trafalgar Road, Portslade, denied two charges of rape and one of sexual assault. He will have to sign the sex offenders' register for life.