A 30-year-old man was sentenced to eight years in prison at Hove Crown Court yesterday (Monday, March 7) for the rape of an 18-year-old woman last August after she got into his taxi during the Pride celebrations.
Romany Girgis of 35 Devonshire Place, Brighton was found guilty following a six day trial at Lewes Crown Court.
When sentenced yesterday, Girgis climbed the perspex barrier and ran from the court but he was caught soon after on the street.
Detective Constable Claire Mitchell from Brighton and Hove CID said: “I am pleased with the sentence that Girgis received yesterday.
“This was a horrible attack on a woman who had come to the city to enjoy the annual Pride celebrations and has been left with dreadful scars and memories of what should have been a fun carefree weekend with friends.
“The victim showed real courage in escaping from Girgis’s flat and remaining strong throughout the investigation to help bring him to justice.”
The teenager had come down to Brighton with friends to enjoy a weekend of celebrations over the bank holiday.
They all went clubbing but around 2am on the Sunday the victim found herself alone and drunk on the beach.
She got into a Brighton and Hove Hackney taxi and gave her friends address, which she couldn’t fully remember.
She told the driver that she needed to get money but the driver replied, “We’ll sort it out in the morning, you don’t know where you are, you don’t know where you are going.”
The victim’s next recollection was waking up in a bedsit whilst being raped.
DC Mitchell continued: “Despite being incredibly distressed and missing most of her clothing the victim managed to escape from Girgis’s flat and ran out into the street where she got help from a member of the public and flagged down a passing police car.”
After four days detectives quickly identified Girgis as the taxi driver and offender and he was arrested on suspicion of rape.
Detective Chief Inspector Nev Kemp said: “Girgis abused his position as a taxi driver to take advantage in the most deplorable way of a young woman who was in no fit state to fight him off.
“I am pleased that he has received a considerable prison sentence for this heinous crime.
“I would like to thank all the officers and staff who worked hard to bring Girgis to justice and those agencies who worked with us in supporting the victim, who showed remarkable bravery and courage.”
Cllr Denise Cobb, chairman of Brighton and Hove licensing committee said: “We are pleased with this verdict.
“Romany Girgis had his taxi driving licence revoked as soon as he was charged with this awful assault.
“This was an isolated incident and licensed taxi cabs are still the safest way for women to travel at night.
“All our drivers are subject to CRB checks and anything raising a safety concern would prevent someone getting or retaining a licence.”
talking to Hackney licensing man to day .would not commit i said if u come from outside the eu how can you have a crb check ! think it would be a good thing to have to live in the uk for 5 years to work with voluble .