Mohamad Sabbagh, a man who posed as a taxi driver, was sentenced to seven years in prison for raping a 25-year-old woman in his unlicensed vehicle after a night out in Glasgow.

Believing he was a legitimate driver, the woman and her friend accepted a ride from him. After dropping off the friend, Sabbagh drove the intoxicated victim to a secluded location and assaulted her.

The court found him guilty, and he was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for life and given a non-harassment order.

Lady Ross addressed Sabbagh in court, saying: “The complainer got into your car believing you would take her home. She was a stranger to you, vulnerable and in need of help. You exploited her vulnerability.”

“You were aware she had vomited in your car. She was intoxicated and in no position to consent to have sex with you,” the judge continued. “In her own words, she was drifting in and out of consciousness and she was scared. She just wanted to go home.”

“Your account was that she offered you sex, and in your weakness, you accepted. The jury rejected that explanation. You continue to deny responsibility, maintaining that what took place was consensual and even initiated by the complainer, effectively blaming the victim.”

Lady Ross added that the crime had a severe impact on the victim, who was deeply distressed after the traumatic experience.

Detective Inspector Arthur McEwan of Police Scotland commented: “Sabbagh’s behaviour was abhorrent.”

“The victim believed he was a taxi driver and trusted that she would be taken to her destination safely, but instead, she endured an extremely traumatic ordeal. She has shown tremendous strength throughout this case.”