Taxi driver rapist jailed for seven years
A taxi driver who raped his drunken passenger after helping her home has been jailed for seven years.
David Stirrups, 54, from Broadstairs, picked up his victim up at the taxi rank in Harbour Parade, just after midnight on Saturday, May 8.
She had been unwell after drinking a large amount of alcohol while out with her friends, and accepted the cabby’s offer to help her into her home.
But it was there that he raped her before carrying out a further sexual act.
His victim confided to a colleague two days later and Stirrups was arrested thanks to CCTV footage and the help of fellow taxi drivers.
Det Insp Trevor Fleming said: "This is an absolute abuse of trust by a man who took advantage of this woman when she was in an exceptionally vulnerable state.
"She should have been able to rely on a licensed Hackney carriage driver.
"I would like to thank the taxi drivers of Thanet who have helped bring this man to justice. They are understandably furious and disgusted that one of their former colleagues has brought their profession into disrepute and doubt in this way."
Stirrups was jailed at Canterbury Crown Court today (Thursday) and his name added to the sex offenders’ register.
A further charge of sexual assault by touching will be left on his file.
http://www.kentnews.co.uk/
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