A bogus mini cab driver, who took a woman to an address in Uxbridge and raped her, has been convicted at Blackfriars Crown Court today, Tuesday, 11 August.
Following a re-trial Ali Moaberfard, 39 (22.09.76) of Madingley Court, N20 was found guilty of the rape of a 31-year-old woman on 5 May 2012. He will be sentenced on Friday, 2 October.
Moaberfard’s conviction follows an investigation by specialist detectives from the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command.
Detective Constable Vicky Stenning, said: “Moaberfard targeted a vulnerable woman who thought he was taking her home. I would like to praise her bravery in coming forward and speaking with police.
“I would urge anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault to speak with us so that we can bring perpetrators before the courts.”
The court heard that on the night of 4 May 2012 the victim had been out in Notting Hill at a party. Leaving the party she took a ‘cab’ to get home.
The car was driven by Moaberfard and instead of taking her home; he took the victim – who would have been clearly in a vulnerable state – to an address in Uxbridge. It was here his victim fell asleep.
The victim then awoke to find Moaberfard raping her. Despite telling him no he continued and she passed out again.
The following morning Moaberfard dropped his victim at Uxbridge Underground Station. From there the victim went to hospital and later police were called and an investigation began.
Clothing from the victim contained a DNA trace that matched Moaberfard and he was arrested at his home on 6 November 2014.
After answering “no comment” to questions put to him by detectives interviewing him, he was charged with the rape the next day.
We would always recommend that anyone wishing to travel by cab should ensure they use a licensed firm. All minicabs must be licensed by TfL and must be booked in advance.
Any minicab that isn’t booked by phone, email, an app or in a licensed minicab office is illegal and unsafe.
- If it’s not booked it’s not safe;
- If you approach a minicab directly, only the driver knows where you are going;
- A minicab that has a licence or sticker in the window (or a driver who has a badge) still needs to be booked in advance;
- A legal minicab is one that is booked in advance with a licensed minicab firm so that your journey, the driver and the vehicle can be traced;
- Customers are not allowed to pick up a minicab offered by a bouncer or someone in a high vis jacket with a clipboard outside a venue;
- A minicab driver that approaches a customer directly on the street is acting illegally;
- Travelling with friends or family members does not make an un-booked minicab safe – nor does cab sharing with a stranger.