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'I would have been safer walking home alone in the dark': woman tells court of sex assault by taxi driver
Summary
During a sentence hearing in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, a woman in her 20s gave a victim impact statement about being sexually assaulted by taxi driver Samir Lakhlef, 53, who had a prior sexual assault conviction. She said she had chosen a taxi for safety, trusting the driver, but was touched on her leg and thigh while in the vehicle. She later walked to a nearby house, pretended it was her home, and was left alone in the taxi. She called her mother and was helped by a passer‑by. Gardaí obtained CCTV showing a silver Toyota Prius, Lakhlef's registered car, and DNA evidence linking him to the victim's clothing. Lakhlef pleaded guilty to sexual assault on 13 February 2022. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a three‑year sentence, refusing to suspend any portion, citing the driver's position of trust and his previous convictions. The woman expressed ongoing fear of using taxis alone and the impact on her life.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'I would have been safer walking home alone in the dark': woman tells court of sex assault by taxi driver. Charges or matters: sexual assault on February 13, 2022. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 13, 2022 Incident
- February 12, 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 18, 2022 Incident
- May 2023 Other
- June 2022 Other
- 2025-04-10 Publication
Why: She remembered leaving a pub, then her next memory was being in the back of a car, which she knew was a taxi because she saw the meter. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: sexual assault on February 13, 2022 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Counsel noted a custodial term would have an impact on Lakhlef's family and asked the court to consider suspending a portion of any sentence imposed. Having imposed sentence, Judge Nolan declined to suspend any portion of it. "It seems to me that he cannot learn from his time in custody; he will never learn.
Places mentioned
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