‘Dangerous sexual predator’: Man who teenage girl thought was taxi driver jailed
- Perry Richardson
- 12 hours ago
- 3 min read
Tayumur Raja was handed nine years in jail after he was found guilty of sexual assault by digital penetration.
On Wednesday 22 April 2026 at Bolton Crown Court he was sentenced and is subject of the Sex Offender Register indefinitely.
At around 4.15am on 25 September 2021 the victim - a 17-year-old girl at the time, now a woman - left a nightclub in Oldham and walked to St Mary’s Way junction with Yorkshire Street and got into a taxi. She got out a short while later and walked to the bottom of Yorkshire Street as she did not have cash and could only pay using her mobile device.
She contacted another taxi using her mobile phone and a short while later, a vehicle pulled up next to her. The girl got into the car believing it to be her taxi. The driver was Raja.
Raja drove her to a carpark on Park Road, with the girl as his passenger, before he sexually assaulted her.
The victim managed to get free from Raja and ran from the vehicle to the safety of a nearby supermarket where staff helped her.
In a statement read in court, the victim said in part: “Before September 2021, I was a normal 17-year-old girl. I was going to college, working, learning to drive, and spending time with my friends. I was excited about my future and had plans to become a nurse. I was starting to gain independence and figure out who I was as a person. Life felt normal, safe, and full of possibilities.
“Before that night, I always believed things like this happened to other people; not to someone like me. But that night, he turned me into someone that bad things happen to, and everything I thought I knew about safety changed.
“After what had been a normal night out with friends, I got into what I believed was a taxi because I just wanted to go home. I had no idea that my life was about to change completely, through no fault of my own.
“The fear I felt in that moment is something I cannot fully put into words. It was a fear I had never experienced before, a real fear for my life. He stole my safety from me. That fear didn’t end that night. It stayed with me for almost five years while I waited for something to be done and for justice to finally happen.”
She continued: “Over time, I became more and more isolated. Relationships with people close to me broke down because I struggled to trust anyone. Eventually, I left home and moved into a hostel because I felt disconnected from everything and everyone.
“The anger, pain, and confusion I felt took over my life. I pushed people away because it felt easier than trying to explain how broken I felt inside. I tried to get mental health support several times, but nothing seemed to help at the time, and I felt completely stuck, like there was no end to what I was going through.”
Throughout the investigation Raja showed no remorse for his actions and continually denied the offence.
At one point during his interview, he laughed when it was explained to him that the allegation was a serious one and that there was a need to ask him questions about it. He declined to comment and claimed the victim had given consent.
The detailed account bravely given by the victim along with evidence gathered by the police showed this was not the case and the jury convicted him. On 6 March 2026, at Bolton Crown Court, Tayumur Raja was found guilty of sexual assault by digital penetration. He has been sentenced to nine years in prison.
The victim added: “I want to thank the police for taking me seriously and for not giving up on this case despite how long it has taken. Despite everything, this process has also helped restore some of my faith in people.
“Although he has never admitted what he did or shown any remorse, I hope the sentence he receives allows him to reflect on the damage he has caused. What he did affected years of my life, and I hope he understands that. More than anything, I hope he never does this to anyone else.
“I hope my voice encourages others to come forward and seek help. Our voices deserve to be heard.”
Detective Constable Paul Fay, Oldham CID, said: “I commend the bravery of the victim-survivor. Thanks to her, a dangerous sexual predator is now behind bars.
“I hope this gives the victim a sense of justice as she looks to move forward and rebuild her life.
“I urge all victim-survivors of rape and sexual offences to please come forward and report them to us. You will be believed and supported. We can work at a pace that suits you so we can bring perpetrators to justice.”
