Married taxi driver raped a 17-year-old girl who had no money to pay (Details, pics)

A married taxi driver picked up a heavily intoxicated teenager with no money and drove her to his house after she passed out and raped her.

Instead of getting her home safely he took her to a McDonald's before driving her to his house in the Hafod area of Swansea and attacking her. Katar Shahin, 40, then lied that his victim was a prostitute who he had paid £20 for sex.

Following his conviction for rape at Swansea Crown Court, police have praised the courage of the youngster in coming forward - and have branded Shahin a 'sexual predator'.

The court heard that in the early hours of June 4 last year the girl was walking towards the centre of Swansea after leaving the friends she had spent the night with.

She had taken alcohol, cannabis and a sleeping tablet, and was heavily intoxicated.

At the same time cabbie Shahin was finishing his shift for the night, and was driving to the McDonald's in Cwmdu for something to eat.

The court heard the taxi driver saw the girl and pulled-up beside her, asking if she needed a lift.

When she said she didn't have any money Shahin said he would take her home for free.

During the trial the girl said she only got into the vehicle because it was a taxi, and she believed all taxis were fitted with CCTV for passengers' safety.

Shahin drove to the McDonald's and bought his victim a Coke, as well as getting himself some food then drove to his house,telling the girl he had to pop in before he could take her home.

The court heard Shahin told the passenger he could not leave hera lone in his cab, so she agreed to go into the house with him.

In the house he offered her alcohol - which she refused - then began trying to kiss and fondle her.

The girl resisted his advances but began to feel drowsy, and passed out. The next thing she remembered was waking up naked with a used condom on the floor.

Shahin later drove her into town, leaving her outside the Full Moon pub in High Street.

The court heard the girl went home, and the following day contacted police saying she thought she had been raped but was not sure.

The girl was able to recall the house number where the attack happened but did not know the street name - however she was able to describe the area and that, combined with officers' local knowledge, led them to the correct address.

When officers searched Shahin's house they found a used condom containing both the defendant's and the victim's DNA.

The defendant initially claimed he had masturbated into the condom after giving the girl a lift home, later changing his story and saying his victim was a prostitute and he had paid her £20 for sex, claims he maintained during his trial.

However, a jury rejected his version of events, and found him guilty of rape.

Barrister Robin Rouch, for Shahin, said his client had worked since coming to the UK from Bangladesh, and regularly sent money back to his country of birth to support his family.

The barrister said there had been no concerns about his behaviour prior to the June incident, and that his client had not picked up the girl up with the intention of raping her.

Judge Geraint Walters told Shahin his claim the teenager has been working as a prostitute was a 'scandalous assertion which the jury found to be a complete lie'.

He said: 'It seems to me you probably picked-up this girl because you observed she appeared to be heavily under the influence of alcohol - to an extent she was targeted.

'By the time you drove to McDonald's that night you had decided to see if you could have sex with her.'

By the time you raped her, you knew she was under the influence of alcohol and drugs.'

Shahin was sentenced to 10 years in prison, and will be on the sex offenders register for the rest of his life.

Speaking after the sentencing, South Wales Police detective sergeant Mark Kayes said: 'Despite the serious sexual assault the victim had the strength and courage to support the police prosecution and gave vital evidence of her harrowing and traumatic experience.

'This sexual predator used his taxi as a means to take the vulnerable victim to a place, which she thought was her home, but instead he used the situation to commit rape.'

He added: 'In addition, I would like to highlight that the victim was supported throughout by specialist officers, from Morriston CID, who continue to work tirelessly for victims of sexual assault and target and pursue individuals who exploit the most vulnerable persons within our society.'