A 33-year-old man from Colchester, Essex, has been convicted of sexual assault after posing as a taxi driver to deceive a vulnerable woman late at night. Arjun Rajan targeted the victim on 24 July 2022, following her through the streets of Colchester city centre before offering her a lift home under false pretences.
The incident unfolded around 12.30am on Sunday, 24 July 2022, when Rajan parked his car in Colchester High Street. CCTV footage captured him walking to Head Street, where he spotted the woman heading towards the High Street to catch a taxi home after an evening out. Rajan followed her to a taxi rank and approached her, convincing her that he was a legitimate driver. Believing him to be a taxi driver, the woman accepted the lift, expecting to be taken safely home. Instead, once inside the vehicle, Rajan sexually assaulted her during the journey.
The victim, who remained anonymous in court proceedings, bravely instructed Rajan to stop the car so she could exit and walk the rest of the way. She promptly reported the assault to the police upon reaching safety. Essex Police arrested Rajan later that same day at 7pm. He was charged with one count of sexual assault but denied the offence throughout the legal process.
The case proceeded to trial at Ipswich Crown Court, where Rajan failed to appear on Tuesday, resulting in a guilty verdict delivered in his absence by the jury. A judge issued a warrant for his arrest immediately following the conviction. Sentencing is set for 5 November 2024, when Rajan will face the consequences of his actions.
The victim shared a powerful statement after the trial, highlighting the profound impact of the assault: 'After the assault, I shut myself away from the world – I was too afraid to leave my house, terrified that he might find me or approach me. I kept what happened a secret from most people in my life. For over three years, this has weighed on me and my family.' She emphasised her determination to seek justice, stating: 'I fought through fear, shame, and heartbreak not because I wanted to, but because I had to for my daughter, for my family, and for every survivor who feels voiceless. I will not let what happened to me define who I am – it is a part of my story, but not the end of it.'
Detective Sergeant Jade Lawton of Essex Police commended the victim's resilience, noting: 'The first thing I want to do is thank the woman in this case for her incredible perseverance and strength. Supporting our investigation and providing her statement was a very brave thing to do and she has had to deal with delays to the trial. Despite the distress this caused she waited months longer to give evidence in court with dignity and help secure this conviction.' Lawton described Rajan's predatory behaviour: 'Rajan took advantage of a vulnerable woman alone after an evening in Colchester. He had the opportunity at every stage of this offence to leave this woman alone or to go home and he never took it. He deceived her, he assaulted her, and the jury agreed with us that he is solely responsible. His unwillingness to face justice only reinforces his guilt.'
This case, reported by the Essex Echo and covered at Ipswich Crown Court, underscores the dangers of unlicensed taxis and the importance of vigilance for women out late at night. Essex Police continue to investigate similar incidents to ensure public safety in the region.