A taxi driver has been jailed after raping a woman after she passed out in his cab.

Taxi driver Salih Kilicakap, 57, was jailed for 10 years after pleading guilty at Newcastle Crown Court to raping a 21-year-old woman.

Kilicakap had been entrusted to drive the young woman back home, but instead raped her after she had fallen unconscious in the back of his cab.

The woman awoke later in an unfamiliar place, realising her attacker had washed her and her clothes in an attempt to cover his tracks.

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She found help from strangers before she contacted Northumbria Police to report the incident.

At court, a statement from the victim read: “I was a young person, and I had my whole life ahead of me.

“He hasn’t made this guilty plea for my benefit, to prevent me from having to give evidence or be cross examined, if he truly had any ounce of remorse for me, he would have admitted to the police in 2017 what he had done."

“The first part of my adult life has been tainted, now I am hoping that I and my loved ones can try to move forward knowing that justice has been served.”

The Safeguarding Department launched an investigation and Kilicakapwas quickly identified and arrested.

He denied any wrongdoing during the interview but was subsequently charged with rape.

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He failed to attend the first hearing, and a warrant for his arrest was issued, before he fled the country to Germany.

The Metropolitan Police and the National Crime Agency as well as several overseas forces worked together to put him before the courts.

He was detained in Bulgaria in August 2022, before being extradited back to the UK and remanded in custody.

He appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on April 19, pleading guilty on the first day of his scheduled trial to one count of rape.

He was jailed for 10 years after appearing at the same court this week.

Kilicakap must also sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and has been barred from ever holding a taxi licence again.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “As a Force, we would like to praise the bravery of this young woman and thank her for her unwavering dignity.

“Salih Kilickap preyed on a lone woman before clumsily trying to cover his tracks.

“He is a coward who put this woman through hell while she patiently waited for her attacker to be brought back to the UK.

“We would also like to recognise the work of our national and international colleagues who helped return him to the UK to face justice.

“We want to reassure the public that Newcastle is a safe place to enjoy a night out.

“As a Force, protecting the vulnerable is our top priority and that includes protecting women on a night out.”

If you are on a night out and spot anything suspicious or want to report behaviour that has made you feel uneasy or alarmed, Northumbria Police have asked people to approach an officer, call them on 101 or contact them online. In an emergency, always call 999.

For support or more information on how to report sexual assault or rape, visit their website.

To make a report contact police on 101 or report online via a website. In an emergency, always call 999.