Taxi driver falsely accused of rape too frightened to carry female passengers

A married father and taxi driver falsely accused of rape by a female customer has revealed that he is now too frightened to pick up female passengers.

As 29 year old Haroon Yousaf told this to the court, Judge Julie Warburton told his accuser, 27 year old Laura Hood, that she faces jail over the false allegation.

Hood maintained the pretence that she had been raped by Yousaf for over two and a half years, despite there being no evidence supporting her claim, and major discrepancies in the description of her attacker and version of events.

Hood was eventually found guilty of perverting the course of justice at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on 26 June.

However it hasn't ended there for Mr Yousaf who is still deeply affected by the accusation and has stated that he is not sure that he can ever fully recover from the experience.

The Telegraph reported that Mr Yousaf told the court via a witness statement that he is now "negative and worry that things can go wrong”. 

He went on to explain that when picking up single female passengers he always worries that something could happen again, and  how he had tears in his eyes as he was forced to strip and provide a sample whilst in police custody.

Mr Yousaf explained to the court that he didn't think Hood really understood what she had done and how it had affected his life.

Hood faces sentencing on 1 August.

Image Source: GMP