A TAXI driver who took advantage of a disabled passenger and had sex with her in the back of his car dreamt up an “incredible”
story when he was arrested.
Married father Christopher [edited by admin] claimed he had been momentarily knocked unconscious when he stopped his taxi and got out to check an engine problem.
The 63-year-old told police that when he came round, he was being molested by his passenger, saying: “She was acting like a wild animal.”
He said he had pulled over in his cab at a truck stop beside the A19 in North Yorkshire because there were problems with the vehicle’s engine.
Even after being confronted with scientific evidence that sex had taken place, grey-haired [edited by admin] continued to deny the allegation.
He was about to stand trial at Teesside Crown Court last month on charges of non-consensual sexual assault when he admitted a new allegation.
[edited by admin], of Turker Lane, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a person lacking mental capacity by a care worker.
The court heard that in his position as a driver for social services users he fitted the category of “carer” and the woman had a mental disorder.
Yesterday, [edited by admin] was given a 12- month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and was ordered to register as a sex offender.
He was also ordered to undergo two years of supervision – including a sex offender group work programme – and pay £1,000 costs.
Judge Peter Bowers told him: “You have been in complete denial of the reality of the situation and repeated what you initially told the police.
“On any view, you took advantage of somebody who you knew had some mental difficulty and you were quite prepared to take the chance with her.”
Rod Hunt, mitigating, said: “If he felt all his Christmases had come at once, he now realises it is all his nightmares that have come at once.
“He has lost everything as a result of being weak that day – he could have his business potentially devastated and there is the public humiliation.”
The court heard that [edited by admin]’s family firm – Northallerton-based K Cabs – is now being run by his daughter after his taxi licence was suspended.
Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, told the court that the incident took place as [edited by admin] drove the woman home from a day centre in summer 2008.
“He gave police an incredible account, maintaining there was some engine trouble, so he pulled over and examined under the bonnet,” said Mr Dodds.
“He said he was struck by an unknown object, which caused him to be disorientated.
“When he came to, he maintained the complainant had her hands down his trousers. He said she was behaving like a wild animal.
“Effectively, he was saying he was the victim and she took sexual advantage of him.”
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