Taxi driver who assaulted woman has sentence increased

A taxi driver who sexually assaulted a woman passenger is thought to have fled the country after having his sentence increased.

Taranjit Singh, also known as Tony, from Gloucester, was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault and given a suspended two-year prison sentence in October 2024.

The Court of Appeal reviewed the case and decided the sentence was "too lenient" and increased it to four years in jail.

A warrant is now out for the arrest of Singh, 50, and police say they are trying to locate him.

In November 2021 he drove the victim, who had fallen asleep, to an industrial estate, rather than her home.

She later awoke to find Singh sexually assaulting her.

He was given the suspended sentence on 18 October, but the Court of Appeal increased it to four years' imprisonment on 21 January.

A warrant for Singh's arrest was issued by a judge the day after the Court of Appeal hearing as he is believed to have left the country.

Det Con Annabel Brittain from Gloucestershire Police said: "Singh's disappearance is cowardly but I am hopeful that he will soon be located so he can begin his sentence behind bars.

"I would urge anyone who has been sexually assaulted to report it to police and be reassured that they will be supported and that their reports will be thoroughly and sensitively investigated."

Anita Hudson, Senior Crown Prosecutor for Crown Prosecution Service South West thanked the victim for "her courage and bravery".

"We felt strongly that the suspended sentence imposed following the trial did not adequately reflect the seriousness of the offence or the significant impact upon the victim," Ms Hudson said.

"We are pleased that we were able to deliver justice for the victim in this case."

Singh will remain on the sex offenders' register for life and was given an indefinite restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim.

He was also banned from being a taxi driver for 10 years.

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