HULL HORROR: Woman raped by men posing as taxi drivers after night out
Three men who masqueraded as taxi drivers to prey on a woman leaving a night out have been brought to justice.
Two of the perpetrators, Bakhtullah Safi and Habibullah Ahmadzai, both 18, were found guilty of rape in a joint enterprise, while Kehan Safi, 26, admitted to the same charge at an earlier proceeding.
The harrowing incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday 30 July, when the victim, seeking a ride home, entered a vehicle along Ferensway under the impression it was a licensed taxi. The subsequent attack prompted a vast police investigation, combining efforts from the Protecting Vulnerable Persons Team and the Major Crime Team to trawl through CCTV footage and conduct extensive enquiries.
Critical evidence was captured on camera, showing the victim getting into the car, driven by Bakhtullah Safi, and heading towards the Hull Royal Infirmary. The vehicle, registered in Bakhtullah's name, became the focus of an intense search to track its movements on the night of the attack.
Despite the trio's continued assurances to the victim that they were operating a licensed taxi, the night ended in tragedy with the woman being assaulted. The perpetrators had the audacity to demand a £20 fare for the journey—a request the victim rejected before escaping to safety.
The arrests of Bakhtullah Safi on 5 August, and Kehan Safi and Habibullah Ahmadzai on 6 August, followed a meticulous investigation. After an eight-day trial at Hull Crown Court, the jury delivered a guilty verdict for Bakhtullah and Habibullah on Wednesday 14 February. All three men now await sentencing, scheduled for Tuesday 2 April.
Detective Constable Ashley Webster said: “This was a truly disturbing case and I’m pleased these men are now behind bars and are being punished for this horrific attack.
“I cannot begin to put into words the bravery the woman has shown throughout the investigation and court proceedings, and I want to offer my sincerest thanks as she has helped take these abhorrent men off our streets.
“Kehan Safi, Bakhtullah Safi and Habibullah Ahmadzai are what I can only describe as ‘sexual predators’ who subjected a lone woman who had just been on a night out with friends, to a horrific and utterly traumatising ordeal for their own perverse needs.“They have shown no remorse for their actions, putting the woman through the further torment of a trial by refusing to admit their crimes.
“We will never tolerate or condone any form of violence against women or girls across the Humberside force area and I hope today’s outcome provides reassurance in knowing that these men are unable to harm anybody else.
“We are committed to making our streets safer by preventing these types of crimes, investigating reported offences and pursuing perpetrators and bringing them to justice.“To anyone who is or who may have been the victim of rape or sexual assault, I would urge you to please, come forward and report it to us.
“We will listen to you and we will do all we can to take action against those responsible and bring them to justice. By working closely with other organisations, charities, and agencies, we can also ensure you are offered the help and support that is needed following these types of offences.”
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