HE PLEADED guilty to two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault as well as a range of other linked offences – and that’s why Jahir Hussain, 37, of Morris Road, E14 is now in jail.
The minicab driver, who chose women travelling alone as his victims, was convicted at Snaresbrook Crown Court back in May. He returned to Court last week for sentencing.
The Court heard that Hussain’s first offence occurred on 21st October 2016. He was a registered minicab driver but was not actually working when he saw a lone woman in Old Street. He told her he was a cab driver and she got into his car and he began to drive her home. The woman fell asleep and woke up to find Hussain assaulting her.
Hussain returned to the area on 2nd December last year. He was driving round when a woman mistook him for the minicab she had ordered. Hussain pretended he was and she got into the car. She also fell asleep in the back of his vehicle and awoke to find Hussain assaulting her. On this occasion, Hussain stopped and returned to the driver’s seat and drove on. He took the woman to a deserted industrial area where he tried to assault her, but fortunately she escaped.
On that occasion Hussain returned to Old Street and by 4am he managed to pick up a third victim – by pretending to be at work as a minicab driver. The third victim also fell asleep and awoke to find Hussain assaulting her.
The last two victims both went to the police and fortunately, between them, they were able to come up with Hussain’s number plate. The Metropolitan Police Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Command investigated the incidents and within hours they had found Hussain and arrested him and very quickly charged him. Forensic evidence then linked him with the earlier assault, leading to further charges.
DC Samantha Dart, the officer in the case, said, “Hussain is a predator who exploited his employment as a mini-cab driver to seriously sexually assault vulnerable females. Women should be able to go out and enjoy themselves without fear of assault. We are grateful to all three women for having the courage to report these matters to police, and for their continued support throughout the investigations. The strength of evidence against Hussain was overwhelming which led to him entering guilty pleas and the sentence handed to him reflects the gravity of his offending.”
In addition to his prison sentences, which total twelve years, Hussain was ordered to be released on an extended licence of six years. He will be on the Sex Offenders Register for life. He has also been given a Sexual Offences Prevention Order which prevents him working as a can driver in the future.
•Read more about it: Find man who preyed on child in Newham Stepney sex attacker sent to prison
[Adverts]