Paul Michael Causer, of Barfleur Lane, Deptford Pic: Surrey Police
A man who assaulted a woman he picked up in Shoreditch after falsely claiming to be a taxi driver has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for rape.
Paul Michael Causer, of Barfleur Lane, Deptford, was convicted at the Old Bailey of serious sexual assault that occurred in the early hours of August 3 last year.
Jurors at last month’s six-day trial heard that, despite lacking a taxi license, Causer offered to drive his 31-year-old victim to South London on condition that she paid for petrol.
Causer instead drove to a secluded laneway in South Godstone, Surrey where he pulled over, falsely complaining that the vehicle had a problem.
The 39-year-old proceeded to touch the victim inappropriately, forcing himself upon her before dumping her at the roadside, stealing her wallet and phone.
Police took advantage of the theft, tracking down Causer using the ‘Where’s my iPhone’ app on the victim’s phone.
Following the sentencing last Thursday (July 10, 2014), Causer’s victim spoke out, encouraging other females to remain safe when out at night.
The Old Bailey Pic: Matt Brown
“Despite being aware of the warnings, this was never something that I thought would happen to me,” she said.
“The message I would like to remind people is not to get into an unlicensed taxi.”
Detective Sergeant Adele Robertson of Surrey Police’s Sexual Offences Investigation Team, who led the investigation, said: “Paul Causer targeted and abused a vulnerable woman and will rightly face time in prison for this abhorrent crime.”
Robertson also hoped that the result of this case would encourage other victims to contact the authorities.
She said: “We are keen to hear from anyone who has been attacked in similar circumstances to come forward.
“It takes a great deal of courage for victims to talk about what has happened, and they need to feel confident that if they report an offence we can help.’’
Causer received an additional eight-month sentence for three counts of attempted theft after trying to withdraw cash using the victim’s bankcard.
