Private hire driver jailed for seven years after raping teenage passenger in Edinburgh

Image credit: Police Scotland / Crown Office

A private hire driver who raped a 19-year-old passenger after collecting her following a night out in Edinburgh has been jailed for seven years.

Abdul Nabizada, 36, was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on 11 August 2026, having been found guilty of rape at the same court on 7 July.

The court heard that the woman entered Nabizada’s vehicle during the early hours of 13 November 2021 because it appeared to be the private hire vehicle she had booked.

Instead of taking the passenger home, Nabizada took her mobile phone and drove her to a secluded area in Joppa, where he raped her. She escaped from the vehicle and contacted friends, who found her distressed and frightened a short time later.

CCTV footage from Queens Bay Crescent subsequently captured Nabizada repeatedly returning to the area following the attack. Police Scotland investigators faced the additional challenge of identifying him because no legitimate booking record connected the victim with his vehicle.

Officers reconstructed the movements of Nabizada and the victim using CCTV footage, mobile phone data and witness testimony. Forensic examination also identified Nabizada’s DNA on the victim’s clothing, supporting the prosecution case presented at trial.

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In addition to the seven-year prison sentence, Nabizada was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely. The court also imposed a non-harassment order, although the terms and duration of that order were not disclosed.

Faye Cook, Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offences, said: “This conviction is the result of the victim’s courage in coming forward and the determined work of police officers to uncover what happened that night.

“Officers had to piece together evidence from a range of sources to identify the offender and build the case that was presented in court.

“The victim should have been able to trust that her journey home would be safe.

“Instead, she was seriously sexually assaulted by a taxi driver who took advantage of her vulnerability and abused his position, resulting in a deeply traumatic experience.

“While stranger offending is rare, Scotland’s prosecutors treat every report of sexual abuse with the utmost seriousness, recognising the profound and lasting impact these crimes have on victims and communities.

“I hope this conviction provides reassurance that reports will be thoroughly investigated and that COPFS will work with policing partners to ensure offenders are held accountable.”