Thasawar Iqbal, a 41-year-old man from Erdington, Birmingham, was sentenced to 17 years in prison at Birmingham Crown Court on 26 May 2023 for a series of predatory sexual offences against two women. Described as a 'dangerous' offender by Judge Francis Laird, Iqbal targeted lone women leaving nightclubs in Birmingham city centre by posing as a private hire driver. His actions, which West Midlands Police characterised as both pre-planned and opportunistic, escalated after his initial arrest, leading to even more depraved behaviour.
The first incident occurred in December 2021, when Iqbal approached a vulnerable woman who was arguing with her boyfriend outside a nightclub. Under the pretence of being a taxi driver, he convinced her to enter his vehicle. During the journey, he consumed alcohol and cocaine, then kissed her and suggested they have sex while filming it. The woman managed to escape when Iqbal stopped to purchase more drugs. Following this assault, Iqbal was arrested and released on bail but did not cease his predatory activities.
- Iqbal's intent was to seek out vulnerable women in the city centre.
- He tricked victims into his car by impersonating a taxi driver.
- For the first victim, his intention was to commit a serious sexual offence via kidnap.
In July 2022, while still under investigation for the first offence, Iqbal struck again. He persuaded a lone woman walking along the A34 to accept a lift, despite her initial refusal. Instead of taking her home, he drove her to a pub car park where he raped her multiple times. He only released her after she agreed to take his mobile phone number. Both women endured terrifying ordeals, suffering significant fear and trauma, and felt guilty for being targeted.
At trial, Iqbal denied the charges, and his defence barrister, Colin McCarraher, noted that Iqbal had no prior sex offences and could not explain what triggered his actions. He was found guilty of two counts of kidnap with intent to commit a sexual offence, two counts of rape, one count of attempted rape, two counts of sexual assault, and one offence of assault by penetration. Judge Laird imposed an extended five-year licence period in addition to the custodial sentence, deeming Iqbal a risk to the public.
Detective Constable Soniya Ram from West Midlands Police Public Protection Unit stated: 'Iqbal is a predatory sexual offender. Although an opportunist his actions were persistent and pre-planned, posing as a taxi driver to pick up young vulnerable women, driving them to locations of his choice and sexually abusing them. He put both women through such fear and sexual violence, completely disregarding the fact he was already being investigated when he committed further offences in July last year.' The conviction was welcomed by the force, ensuring Iqbal is off the streets for a significant period.