Taxi Driver Online

Worthing taxi driver jailed over sexual offences against girl

A Worthing taxi driver groomed a 14-year-old girl after contacting her on Instagram.

Andrew Cullen of Heathfield Close in Tarring has been handed a seven-year prison sentence after being convicted of one count of grooming and five of sexual assault by touching.

The 53-year-old's offences were uncovered in June 2019 when he drove the girl to what he believed was a secluded country lane in Crossbush, near Arundel. But it transpired it was actually the driveway to someone's house.

While he was at the site, the owners of the house returned home and spotted him. They confronted him and, after realising what was happening, quickly phoned the police, leading to the licensed cabbie being charged.

He was also dismissed by his employer and had his licence removed.

On January 20 this year, following a trial which lasted a week-and-a-half, Cullen was given a seven-year prison sentence after being convicted of six counts of sexual assault against the teenage girl.

He will serve the first five years in custody and the remaining two years on extended prison licence supervision.

Detective Constable Louise Clark of the Chichester criminal investigation department described how "Cullen made contact with this young girl and systematically groomed her over many occasions over period of months".

She said that, though the direct sexual contact was limited, "his intention was clear".

DC Clark said: "Eventually his activity was uncovered in June 2019 when, by mistake, he drove the girl in his taxi to what he thought was a quiet lane in Crossbush but which was in fact the drive to someone's house.

"As they were there, the owners returned home and confronted him, realised what was happening, and told the police.

"This is another example of the way in which youngsters can be vulnerable to approaches, often online, from people they do not know and who have sinister intentions."

Advice for young people and parents on how to spot and deal with such approaches is at the Sussex Police website.

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IDFIMH

Defo a disgusting perv, and clearly not a very good taxi driver.

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IDFIMH

I wonder if that village got it's name from the ancient punishment ?

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector