Mohammed Awais, the East Ham Rapist, will be released soon, so keep an eye out for him. The victim of Mohammed Awais entered his vehicle under the impression that he was an Uber driver.
At approximately 12:30 AM on October 20 of the previous year, the 28-year-old woman had been socialising with friends in the Dalston vicinity when she requested a taxi via the application.
A white Toyota Auris arrived at her place, and she entered the back, assuming it was her taxi.
Upon expressing her suspicion regarding the driver’s apparent lack of knowledge about his destination, he secured the doors and accelerated.
The frightened girl was taken to a poorly illuminated lane in East Ham when Awais assaulted her sexually.
After the assault, he deprived the woman of her belongings—comprising her phone, cash, and a laptop—and commanded her to exit the vehicle.
He subsequently departed.
The victim fled and ran as far as she could, hiding in the front garden of a residential property to ensure her attacker was not in pursuit.
She then alerted two public members in the street, who called the police.
An investigation was launched by officers from the Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command, and Awais was identified as driving the vehicle by another man.
He was arrested on October 24 at his home in East Ham.
A witness at an ID parade identified Awais and was further linked to the crime by forensic evidence.
Awais, now 34, pleaded guilty to rape, assault by penetration, kidnap, robbery, driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance at Snaresbrook Crown Court last year.
On January 10, Awais, of Wellstead Road, was imprisoned for nine years and four months.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.