Fareed Tariq 43

Description

A man from Swindon has been given an 18 years custodial sentence raping a woman after pretending to be a taxi driver.

Fareed Tariq, 43, of Barnum Court, was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court today (03/04) after being found guilty by trial in February.

On Friday April 14, 2023 the victim was out in Swindon town centre with friends. She called a taxi company at around 3.15am on Saturday morning. A vehicle was sent but she was not picked up. She then got into Tariq’s vehicle, who drove her to a quiet area in Pinehurst and assaulted her.

Tariq was sentenced to 13 years in custody, of which he will serve a minimum of nine years. His sentence was extended by another five years on licence, has been put on the sex offenders register for life and has been given a restraining order from the victim for life.

James Purcell, Major Crime Team Investigator said: "This was a horrendous incident, where Tariq pretended to be a taxi driver and picked up a vulnerable woman after a night out. He took her to a quiet area and raped her before picking up her son from her friend's house.

"I'd like to thank the victim for her incredible bravery through reporting the incident and through what must have been a really difficult trial, reliving a traumatic experience. Without her continued assistance, the outcome would not have been possible.