Dagenham Rapist Taofiq Laguda Jailed for Seven Years
Taofiq Laguda, 46, from Dagenham, was sentenced to a minimum of seven years behind bars at Woolwich Crown Court on Thursday, 25 February.
Horrific Attack Caught on ANPR
Laguda was found guilty of rape and theft after a shocking assault in Peckham on 24 January 2020. The victim was walking home from work around 1:30am when Laguda, driving a car not registered to him, stopped and asked for directions.
He then offered her a lift. Trusting him, she got in. Instead of helping, Laguda drove her to a secluded spot, locked her in the car, and raped her. After the attack, he abandoned her on the roadside and fled.
Police Hunt Led to Conviction
Detectives tracked Laguda down using ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) data linked to the victim’s phone. Crucially, Laguda was on a life licence with strict conditions not to drive, making his actions even more flagrant.
He denied the charges but was found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict.
Police Praise Victim’s Bravery and Team Effort
Detective Constable Daniel Weeks said: “This horrific attack strikes at the heart of our society. The victim has shown tremendous resilience throughout this ordeal, the police investigation and subsequent trial. My thanks go to all the officers and partner agencies who relentlessly worked on this case to ensure justice.”
Detective Inspector Spencer Thomas added: “Taofiq Laguda is a very dangerous man who raped a female he enticed off the street. He poses a significant risk to women, and I am pleased that he has been convicted of these offences. The police have a responsibility to protect the public from this kind of individual. I would like to pay tribute to the victim who had the courage to report this distressing assault to police, and attend court to give evidence against Laguda. I hope that this outcome gives the victim and her family a measure of comfort and closure.”
