Indian-origin taxi driver convicted of sexual assault in UK

An Indian-origin taxi driver has been convicted of sexually assaulting a female passenger when she was in an "extremely vulnerable condition" during a ride back to her home in London.

Temur Shah, who worked for ride hailing company Uber, was found guilty at Isleworth Crown Court in west London on Monday after a week-long trial.

The 45-year-old has been bailed ahead of sentencing at the same court on November 12, Scotland Yard said.

"Shah despicably took advantage of his position as a trusted licensed driver and sexually assaulted a passenger in a vulnerable state. His conviction was down to a meticulous investigation which left the jury in no doubt as to his guilt," said Detective Superintendent Andy Cox, from the Roads and Transport Policing Command.

"If you ever experience unwanted sexual behaviour, report it to the police. You will always be taken seriously and the incident will be fully investigated," he said.

Shah's guilty verdict followed an investigation by the Metropolitan Police's Taxi and Private Hire Policing Team part of the Roads and Transport Policing Command which is part-funded by Transport for London (TfL) to tackle attacks on the city's public transport.

Mandy McGregor, Head of Transport Policing and Community Safety at TfL, said: "This attack on a vulnerable passenger was predatory and disgusting, and we are pleased to see that Shah has been convicted. I would like to thank the young woman for coming forward and reporting this so TfL and the police could investigate and take action against the driver.

"We expect the highest standards from TfL licensed taxi and private hire drivers. Not only has Shah been convicted but immediate licensing action was taken to prevent him from continuing in his role as a TfL licensed private hire driver."