Man who posed as taxi driver and then raped women between Preston and Darwen

A faux taxi driver who lured girls into his automobile after which raped them has been jailed.

Nazim Asmal was jailed for 22 years at Preston Crown Courtroom.

The 35-year-old, of no fastened abode however who was beforehand residing at Balaclava Road in Blackburn, pleaded responsible to 4 counts of rape.

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Asmal’s crimes came about between Preston and Darwen from October 2021 to April 2023.

The primary incident came about on 3 October 2021, when a girl bought into Asmal’s automobile in Preston metropolis centre believing it to be a taxi.

He drove for round ten minutes, raped his sufferer within the automobile and dropped her again off within the metropolis centre the place she was capable of flag down a member of the general public for assist.

A second incident came about on 4 March final yr, when the sufferer had been on an evening out in Darwen and ended up in Asmal’s automobile.

He drove her to a secluded space on the outskirts of Darwen and raped her.

Asmal obtained his sufferer’s cellphone quantity and known as her at the beginning of April – she didn’t reply as a result of it got here up with ‘no caller ID’.

He tried once more on 8 April and this time she did reply. She recognised the voice as the person who had raped her however didn’t know his id.

She ended the decision after Asmal requested the terrified girl ‘if she wished to do one thing’?’.

An additional rape came about on the identical night, 8 April, when a girl bought into Asmal’s automobile in Darwen city centre.

He drove her in the direction of Bolton, in the wrong way of her residence and stated “You don’t wish to pay for this taxi, do you?”

He stopped in a secluded space and raped her. He then dropped her off at her residence handle.

Police had been capable of determine Asmal after his black Toyota Yaris was picked up on CCTV.

What his victims have stated

In an announcement to the courtroom the primary sufferer stated: “Though this incident occurred to me almost two years in the past, I nonetheless reside with most of the psychological and emotional impacts, truthfully, I consider that my life was modified endlessly that evening. My outdated life was shattered, and it has been a relentless wrestle that I don’t assume I’ll ever absolutely recuperate from.

“I really feel like part of myself died that evening and that makes me overwhelmingly unhappy and indignant.

“Earlier than the incident I used to be outgoing and loved going out with my pals, I used to be variety and trusting of individuals’s good nature.

“I’ve discovered that the incident has had a substantial affect on my relationship with family and friends. I’ve struggled and proceed to wrestle with Publish traumatic stress dysfunction (PTSD), despair and nervousness since what’s occurred. This has led to me avoiding social interactions that earlier than I might be glad to attend, withdrawing away from the individuals I like, and dropping an curiosity in so many issues I used to take pleasure in. I actually wrestle with being out late at evening or when it’s darkish as I really feel so scared on the prospect of being attacked. This has been fairly debilitating at occasions as I’ve needed to keep away from social interactions for concern of my journey residence alone and even has prevented me strolling my canines at evening proper by my home.”

The second sufferer stated: “I used to be seeing somebody when this occurred, however this might not proceed after what that man did to me, I actually don’t just like the considered getting near anybody.

“I lie awake at evening replaying all of it in my head…simply final evening I couldn’t sleep fascinated with it. I used to be burdened and anxious being at residence as a result of he knew the place I lived. I didn’t really feel protected there.

“Once I exit with my pals I often drive and don’t drink. I don’t like getting in taxis alone anymore. My life-style has needed to change which adjustments the dynamic of my relationships.”

The third sufferer stated: “After the incident in April I’ve actually struggled mentally, bodily and emotionally. I’ve been low; I’ve misplaced weight and really feel always anxious. I really feel misplaced and uncontrolled, I’m scared to be alone and have a relentless feeling of hypervigilance.”

Passing sentence on an ‘abhorrent’ offender

Choose Heather Lloyd deemed Asmal to be a harmful offender and sentenced him to 17 years in custody with an extra 5 years on prolonged licence. He was additionally ordered to signal the Intercourse Offenders Register for all times.

DS Alex Rawsthorn, from the East RASSO Group, stated: “I welcome the sentence handed right down to Asmal right now which displays the seriousness of his offending and the very actual and important hazard he poses to girls.

“Asmal intentionally focused his victims due to their weak state and subjected them to critical sexual hurt. Though right now’s headlines will fairly rightly deal with Asmal’s abhorrent defending, my ideas are very a lot with the victims who’ve been profoundly impacted by his appalling offending. As mirrored of their harrowing sufferer affect statements, all three proceed to reside with the aftereffects of what Asmal did to them.

“For those who or any person has been the sufferer of a sexual offence I might encourage you to contact the police figuring out you can be listened to, believed and that we are going to do every little thing we will to place the perpetrator earlier than the courts.”

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