Tayumur Raja, 29, of Abbeyhills Road, Oldham, will serve nine years in prison after Bolton Crown Court found him guilty of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl he duped into his car in the early hours of 25 September 2021.

The teenager had left an Oldham nightclub at about 4:15 a.m. and, after abandoning an earlier taxi because she could not pay cash, used her phone to book another ride. Raja pulled up; believing he was her driver, she got in. Instead of taking her home, he drove to a car park on Park Road where he assaulted her by digital penetration. She broke free, fled to a nearby supermarket and staff called for help.

A jury convicted Raja on 6 March 2026; on 22 April he was sentenced to nine years and placed on the Sex Offender Register indefinitely. He had denied the attack, claiming the girl consented, but police said evidence disproved his account.

In a statement read to the court, the victim said: “Before September 2021, I was a normal 17-year-old girl. I was going to college, working, learning to drive, and spending time with my friends.” She described the lasting fear and isolation that followed, adding: “The fear I felt in that moment is something I cannot fully put into words.” She later moved into a hostel and thanked officers for pursuing the case, urging others to speak out: “I hope my voice encourages others to come forward and seek help. Our voices deserve to be heard.”

Detective Constable Paul Fay of Oldham CID said: “I commend the bravery of the victim-survivor. Thanks to her, a dangerous sexual predator is now behind bars. I hope this gives the victim a sense of justice as she looks to move forward and rebuild her life. I urge all victim-survivors of rape and sexual offences to please come forward and report them to us. You will be believed and supported.”

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