Riaz Muhammed

In 2019, Riaz Muhammed, a 51-year-old taxi driver from Easton in Bristol, targeted a vulnerable woman in a calculated sexual assault. The incident unfolded when Muhammed picked up the victim and drove her around the city before arranging accommodation for her at a guest house familiar to him. He then invited his friend, Muhammed Zahid, to the location, where they exploited the woman's unconscious state to carry out a premeditated rape.

The attack took place at the guest house in Bristol, highlighting the predatory nature of the offence against a woman over 16. Following an eight-day trial at Bristol Crown Court, Muhammed was unanimously found guilty of rape on Wednesday, 17 December 2025. The court proceedings revealed the men's deliberate planning and lack of consent, as detailed in evidence presented by Avon and Somerset Police.

Upon conviction, Muhammed was sentenced to nine years in prison. He is required to serve two-thirds of his sentence in custody before being released on licence. In a joint statement from investigating officers DC Laurence Castle and DC Saoirse Moore, the predators were described as 'calculating sexual predators who preyed on a vulnerable victim, hoping she would not have the strength to come forward.' The officers commended the jury's determination in processing the case facts and emphasised the importance of consent.

This conviction underscores the severe consequences for such crimes, with Avon and Somerset Police maintaining support for the victim throughout the process. The case serves as a stark reminder of the resilience required from survivors and the justice system's role in holding offenders accountable.