A man who 'brutally' sexually assaulted a woman who got into his car thinking it was a taxi has been handed a 19-year prison sentence.
A man who"brutally" sexually assaulted a woman who got into his car thinking it was a taxi has been handed a 19-year prison sentence.
Imposing sentence today, Justice Mary Ellen Ring said the"brutal" sexual assaults carried out by Tenea on the woman in an isolated area after she got into what she believed to be a taxi was"every woman's nightmare".Ms Justice Ring said the woman had"done nothing wrong" and"did what many women around the country do every night - trust what they believe to be a legitimate taxi will deliver them home safe".
A prosecuting garda gave evidence that the complainant was on her way home from a night out and was attempting to hail a taxi. When a car pulled up, she assumed with relief it was a taxi and got in. Tenea then got back in the car and drove off, leaving her at the scene. The woman was found by an actual taxi driver passing through the area. She was brought home and later attended at a garda station.
The woman attended at a sexual assault treatment unit where bruising consistent with the description of the attack was noted. Samples of semen taken from her were a match for Tenea. The gardaí told the court his prior conviction which occurred in 2006 had a similar modus operandi in that the victim was approached, knocked unconscious and raped in an isolated place.