"Help Me Dad, I’ve Been Raped": Uber Driver Jailed for Attacking Drunk Student

A 54-year-old Uber driver who raped a heavily intoxicated student after she was helped into his car by friends and nightclub staff has been sentenced to 12 years and six months in prison. Kamran Khan, of no fixed abode, was convicted of rape and assault by penetration following a five-day trial at Leeds Crown Court. Recorder Simon Jackson told Khan he had committed a “gross abandonment” of his duty of care to get the vulnerable woman home safely, and imposed a lifetime sex offenders register notification alongside a permanent ban from working as a taxi driver.

The court heard that the victim had been enjoying a night out in Leeds city centre when her friends and venue staff arranged an Uber to ensure she returned home safely. Khan picked her up outside a nightclub but, instead of completing the journey, drove the vehicle to a secluded location near her home address. Prosecutor Stephen Littlewood detailed how Khan attacked the woman in his car, keeping her there for almost an hour before eventually dropping her off at her house.

Daily Dazzling Dawn learned that upon arriving home, the student immediately sought help from her father, telling him: “Help me dad, I’ve been raped.” The harrowing disclosure sparked an immediate police investigation which culminated in Khan’s arrest and subsequent trial. Khan had initially claimed that the encounter was consensual. However, his defence barrister, Kitty Colley, told the court that he had since accepted what happened and was taking responsibility for his actions. She also noted that Khan had previously been of good character, had no previous convictions, and had provided for his family.

Sentencing Khan on November 6, 2026, Recorder Simon Jackson delivered a damning assessment of the defendant’s conduct. The judge described Khan’s actions as a gross abandonment of the duty of care he owed to his passenger, who had been entrusted to his vehicle precisely because she was vulnerable. Daily Dazzling Dawn understands that Recorder Jackson imposed a sentence of 12 years and six months, alongside a lifetime notification requirement on the sex offenders register.

In a final, unequivocal warning, the judge told Khan: “You shall never be a taxi driver ever again.” The sentence reflects the severity with which the courts treat the sexual exploitation of vulnerable passengers by individuals in positions of trust. The case has also raised wider questions about the safeguards in place for lone, intoxicated travellers using ride-hailing applications.

During the sentencing hearing, the court was told that Khan had no previous convictions and had been a provider for his family. His defence counsel emphasised that he had eventually accepted responsibility for the attack, having initially sought to portray the encounter as consensual. However, the judge made clear that these factors could not excuse the predatory nature of the offence, which involved the calculated targeting of a woman who was in no fit state to consent.

The victim’s immediate and distressing disclosure to her father served as crucial evidence in securing the conviction. Her courage in reporting the attack, despite the trauma she had endured, was central to the case brought by prosecutors. The five-day trial at Leeds Crown Court concluded with Khan being found guilty on both counts, leading to the substantial custodial sentence and the lifetime ban from working as a taxi driver.

The case has highlighted the importance of robust vetting and safety protocols within the private hire and ride-hailing industry. While Uber has previously introduced in-app safety features, including GPS tracking and emergency buttons, this incident demonstrates the residual risks that passengers, particularly those who are intoxicated, can face. Legal experts suggest that the lifetime ban imposed on Khan will serve as a deterrent, but they also stress the need for continued vigilance from both operators and regulators.

Daily Dazzling Dawn can confirm that Khan will now begin his custodial sentence, with the sex offenders register notification ensuring he remains subject to monitoring for the rest of his life. The victim, meanwhile, is understood to be receiving support from specialist services as she continues to come to terms with the ordeal.