Bogus Uber Cabbie Raped Female Passenger In Alley

A bogus Uber cabbie, who picked up a lone woman at midnight, is starting a prison sentence for raping and robbing her in a dark alleyway.

The 28 year-old victim didn't know her Uber booking had been cancelled and assumed the imposter was her cab driver.

Mohammed Awais, 28, just happened to be driving his white Toyota Auris when he spotted the woman in east London and picked her up.

He pleaded guilty to rape; assault by penetration; kidnap; robbery and driving while disqualified and without insurance.

Awais, of Wellstead Road, East Ham was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court to nine years and four months imprisonment.

At half-past midnight on October 20, last year the victim, who had been out with friends in Dalston, ordered a cab, via her Uber app.

She got into Awais's vehicle, believing it was her cab, but quickly voiced her suspicion because did not appear to know where he was supposed to be going.

Awais locked the doors and sped up, taking the terrified victim to a dimly lit alleyway in East Ham, where she was raped.

After the attack he robbed the victim of her possessions, including her phone, cash and a laptop, and ordered her to get out of the car.

He then drove away.

The victim fled and ran as far as she could, hiding in the front garden of a residential address to ensure that the suspect was not following her.

She was then able to alert two members of the public in the street, who called police.

An investigation was launched by officers from the Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command.

Awais was identified as driving the vehicle by another man arrested as part of the investigation.

He was arrested on Wednesday, October 24 at his home address.

He was identified by a witness at an ID parade and was further linked to the crime by forensic evidence.

Detective Sergeant Emma Matthews led the investigation.

She said: "It was established the legitimate Uber vehicle the victim had booked had been cancelled without her realising.

"Awais, who had never worked as an Uber driver, arrived at the location purely by chance and, spotting a lone female, acted as an imposter to get her into his vehicle before carrying out his despicable attack.

"His disgusting behaviour is beyond comprehension. He left the victim in fear of her life.

"She has been extraordinarily brave throughout the entire process.

“I would like to thank her for supporting our investigation, and hope that eventually, and with our continued support, she will one day be able to leave this terrible incident behind her."