Taxi driver jailed for 12 years after raping drunk woman he preyed on in Sunderland
Lurking predator targets vulnerable lone drinker
A predatory taxi driver, Ian Phillips, 48, has been sentenced to 12 years behind bars for attacking a heavily intoxicated woman in Sunderland. Phillips, who worked for a cab firm but had clocked off and switched off his in-car camera, prowled city centre pubs and bars in the early hours, hunting for vulnerable victims.
Victim helped into cab before horrific attack
Newcastle Crown Court heard the woman, described as “ten out of ten drunk,” became separated from her group outside Gatsby’s bar. Two strangers kindly helped her into Phillips’ taxi, unaware of the danger. Instead of taking her home, Phillips drove her to a secluded spot near Hendon Beach, where he raped her.
Judge slams ‘sinister’ plan to exploit drunk women
Phillips denied rape, claiming the encounter was consensual and he was doing cash-in-hand work. But Judge Spragg tore apart his defence, saying:
“It was not to get cash-in-hand work. Your motive was far more sinister, trying to get a lone, drunken woman into your car. You deliberately turned off your cameras. You were parked, waiting for a woman to get in, just so you could take advantage of her.”
The judge added Phillips showed an “overwhelming sense of sexual entitlement” and was a “high risk” to the public.
Life shattered for the victim
The traumatised victim told the court her life has been “turned upside down” by the attack. She now suffers from flashbacks and terrifying nightmares.
Phillips, a married father from Easington Colliery, Durham, will also serve a five-year extended licence and must comply with a lifelong sexual harm prevention order and sex offender registration.
Judge Spragg stressed the vast majority of taxi drivers are trustworthy. But Phillips’ chilling actions betrayed all who work to keep the public safe.
