August 2023

Predatory taxi driver jailed after sexually assaulting student who fell asleep in his car

A predatory taxi driver who sexually assaulted a passenger as she slept in the front seat of his car has been jailed.

Bozlul Hoque, 44, has been sentenced to eight years behind bars after he drove his 21-year-old victim to a secluded street and abused her in April 2019.

Newcastle Crown Court was told how the black cab driver had picked up the female student from outside a city centre bar in the early hours of the morning.

She got into the front seat and asked to be taken to her home address but she fell asleep during the journey.

The terrified victim awoke a short time later to find Hoque had parked in a secluded street and was sexually assaulting her.

She screamed at the driver who then transported her to her to a friend’ address where the victim reported what had happened to police.

The married father-of-three was arrested but denied sexually assaulting the woman and claimed she had been intoxicated and unable to provide him with her address.

But forensic examination found his DNA on the victim and he was charged with sexual assault and later pleaded guilty at court.

Hoque, of Croydon Road, Newcastle, was jailed for eight years at Newcastle Crown Court.