A TAXI driver who attempted to rape a woman from Bury has been jailed for nine years.

Shahjahan Islam, of Meldreth Road, Longsight, was initially charged with rape after the woman was attacked after getting into a private hire taxi in Manchester city centre last year.

However, the 27-year-old was convicted of attempted rape following a trial at Chester Crown Court last month.

The victim, who cannot be identified but lives in Bury, had been enjoying a night out with friends when she decided to go home in the early hours of August 25 last year and got into a taxi driven by Islam.

She gave Islam her Bury address and he programmed it into his sat nav and set off. After several minutes the woman realised they were going the wrong way as Islam drove to the Northern Quarter.

Chester Crown Court heard how Islam pulled over, took the woman’s hand, and placed it on his crotch. He asked her to remove her pants but she refused. Islam then climbed into the passenger seat and tried to rape her. The victim ran off when Islam was unable to start his car.

DNA recovered from the woman led officers to identify Islam as the suspect.

Detective Constable Louise Henson, from Grey Mare Lane CID, said: “This woman had just gone out to have fun with her friends and thought she would get a taxi home for safety, but has instead been abused by somebody in a position to take advantage of a woman on her own.”