Uber driver who raped passenger at knifepoint jailed for 16 years after victim’s rapid 999 call proved crucial
- Perry Richardson
- Jul 13
- 3 min read
A Leicester Uber driver has been sentenced to 16 years in prison after being convicted of raping a passenger at knifepoint, with detectives crediting the victim’s immediate report to police for helping secure crucial evidence and a rapid arrest.
Adam Daley, 33, was sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on 10 July after being found guilty last month of rape, sexual assault, possession of a bladed article and making threats to kill. The court also imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order with no end date and a restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim.
The attack took place during the early hours of 29 December 2025 after a woman in her 20s and a friend were preparing to book an Uber outside a Leicester city centre bar. According to Leicestershire Police, Daley approached them in his white Toyota Auris and offered to take them if they booked the journey through the Uber app.
After dropping the woman’s friend home, Daley continued the journey before making sexual comments and asking inappropriate questions. He then drove to a layby near Soar Valley Way, claiming he needed to use the toilet, before threatening the passenger with a knife and forcing her to perform oral sex. During the attack he also sexually assaulted her by touching her breasts.
After the victim persuaded Daley to stop, he abandoned her in the layby and drove away. She immediately called 999, allowing officers to begin enquiries within minutes. Police identified the vehicle through registration details before tracking its movements using CCTV and automatic number plate recognition cameras. Roads Policing officers stopped Daley at 6.37am, around an hour after the offence had been reported.
Detectives said the victim’s prompt report ensured vital forensic and digital evidence was preserved. Officers recovered DNA evidence linking Daley to the offence, while examinations of his mobile phone also established he had driven past the victim three times after leaving her in the layby. During his arrest, Daley attempted to seize and stamp on his mobile phone in an apparent attempt to destroy evidence.
Daley denied the allegations throughout the investigation despite forensic evidence. He claimed the victim’s DNA had transferred to him after both had used the same water bottle, alleging he had later washed himself with the water after urinating in the layby. A jury rejected his account and convicted him.
While examining Daley’s mobile phone, officers also discovered evidence leading to two charges of making indecent images of a child, to which he pleaded guilty at sentencing.
Police also confirmed that Daley refused to provide a roadside drugs wipe after his arrest. A blood sample later tested positive for cocaine. In April he pleaded guilty to two counts of drug driving at Leicester Magistrates’ Court, where he was banned from driving for 20 months, fined £200 and ordered to pay court costs and a victim surcharge.
Detective Constable Matt Smith from Signal – the force’s dedicated rape and serious sexual assault team is the officer in the case.
He said: “I want to commend the victim in this case during what has been an extremely difficult six months. Her actions that night and the strength and bravery she has shown during the investigation and trial has ensured a dangerous individual is now behind bars.
“Despite her deeply traumatic and distressing experience, that night she demonstrated exceptional presence of mind and was able to contact police immediately after Daley had driven off.
“Thanks to this, officers were able to act quickly to identify and locate the suspect in a very short space of time. This was crucial to our investigation and ensured not only key forensic evidence could still be detected but that he was apprehended before he attacked anyone else.
“Daley targeted a lone woman after she trusted him to get her home safely. Given his job as an Uber driver it is possible there could be more victims that have not come forward.
“We take reports of sexual assault very seriously and anyone who wishes to report offences will be spoken to by specialist officers in the team.”
Senior Investigation Officer, Detective Inspector Majid Zaveri, said: “The courage of the victim and the professionalism and dedication of the response and investigation officers has led to this outcome.
“My thanks go to the victim who bravery and co-operation led to this quick arrest and allowed vital evidence to be secured. Thank you to the response officers for their quick actions and to the investigation team – including Detective Sergeants George White, Jon Davies and Detective Constables Matt Smith and Charlotte Worley – for their tireless work to ensure the defendant was brought before the courts.
“If you are a victim of a sexual offence, please know that we are here to listen to you, to help you and to support you. Please report to us or speak with someone you can trust.”
