‘TERRIFYING’ Norwich taxi driver jailed for sexually assaulting three women over three day period
A Norwich taxi driver has been sentenced to 21 months in prison after admitting to sexually assaulting three women in his vehicle over a three-day period in January 2024.
Alexandru Tapurin, 36, faced Norwich Crown Court after pleading guilty to three counts of sexual assault. His offences took place between 19 and 22 January, targeting female passengers during late-night journeys.
The first incident occurred in the early hours of 20 January. Tapurin picked up a woman from a city pub, asking her for sex and forcing her into unwanted sexual activity during the ride home. Later that night, he collected another woman just before midnight via a taxi booking app. He pulled over during the journey, making persistent physical and verbal advances, which the victim repeatedly refused. Despite this, Tapurin only resumed the journey after the victim's refusals.
The final incident took place in the early hours of 21 January, when Tapurin picked up a third woman. On reaching her destination, he made more unwanted advances, telling her “I’ll see you again” as she left the vehicle.
Tapurin was also handed a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) and will be added to the sex offenders register, marking the end of his brief but disturbing criminal behaviour as a taxi driver.
DS Ricki Peake who led the investigation said: “It goes without saying that women should be able to rely on a taxi to get them home safely whether they are on a night out with friends, in the city, or finishing a shift at work.
“To find themselves in a vehicle with someone they should be able to trust is terrifying and a huge breach of trust. I commend the victims for their bravery and strength in coming forward.
“Support is always available from our officers and Norfolk Police will do everything we can to secure justice for victims.”
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