Appeal to taxi drivers over rape

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/manchester/8122561.stm

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Police are appealing to taxi drivers in their hunt for a rapist who attacked a man he had driven home in a cab.

The 20-year-old victim was followed into a block of flats in Salford Quays and raped by the man after he got out of his cab early last Sunday.

The rapist was driving a silver Volkswagen Passat which police hope other cabbies will recognise.

Det Sgt John Andrew, of Greater Manchester police, said the attack had left the victim "traumatised".

The man got in the taxi in Manchester city centre and when it arrived at Salford Quays, the driver refused to take payment.

The victim went into his flat block, but was grabbed by the driver as he waited for the lift. He was raped in the stairwell of the building, police said.

'Appaling crime'

Det Sgt Andrew said: "We have issued a picture of the taxi we believe was used by the offender in the hope that other taxi drivers in the area will recognise it and come forward so we can find this man.

"I would also appeal to the wider public who may have information about this appalling crime to speak to us if they know anything at all.

"You might think it is a trivial bit of information but it could be vital to us so please do come forward."

The rapist was described as being in his late 20s or early 30s, and dark skinned.

He was about 5ft 9in tall and slightly overweight with short brown or black hair and unshaven with a beard and brown eyes. He was wearing a brown leather jacket and a dark green jumper.

The cab had an illuminated taxi sign on the roof.