Cabbie accused of raping customer in isolated alley

Shiraj Miah, 35, is accused of attacking the woman in the front seat of his cab after driving her to an isolated alley in the early hours of April 9.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how the victim had climbed into his cab outside a Newcastle city centre nightclub, asking to be taken to a friend's house. But during a detour down a back lane, it was claimed that she was subjected to the sex ordeal.

Mr Miah denied having sex with the woman, but when confronted with DNA evidence accepted he had, but claimed to have forgotten.

Julian Smith, prosecuting, said on the night of the attack the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been on a night out with friends before heading for a taxi in the early hours.

Mr Smith said: "She sat in the front of that taxi and she was wanting to go to a friend's address, but unfortunately it was not to be.

"The driver of the taxi took her to a rear lane. There were no cars about, there was nobody about and it was late at night. He stopped the car.

"The woman recalls she was wearing flip-flop style shoes and she thought when Mr Miah leaned across he was going to help her retrieve her shoes. In fact, he moved the chair she was sitting on back so it was essentially flat."

Mr Smith said the driver then raped the woman who lay silent and shaking in fear.

The court was told how after the attack Mr Miah drove his victim home.

The woman contacted police the following day and was examined by a doctor. Mr Miah was arrested and denied he had picked up the woman that night. But when he was told a DNA sample taken from a swab during the woman's examination matched his DNA, he changed his story.

Mr Miah told police he had taken the woman back to her house where they had consensual sex.

He told officers he had not lied during the first interview but had simply forgotten having sex with her due to the pressures of work.

Mr Miah, of Clifton Avenue, Benwell, Newcastle, denies rape and the trial continues.