A taxi driver who picked up a vulnerable woman and raped her in her own home has today received a 16-year sentence.
46-year-old Khalafalla Yagoub, of Burnett Avenue, Salford, was found guilty of rape last month, with his sentencing coming on 13 July at Manchester Crown Court.
The court heard how on the evening of 28 November 2025, a 19-year-old woman was out in Manchester with her friends.
After leaving a bar at 3am the following morning, Yagoub picked the woman up in her taxi – though the woman was intoxicated, in a vulnerable state, and had not booked the taxi.
After taking her back to her home, Yagoub raped the woman. He had claimed in police interview that he had helped the woman and that it was consensual – stating that it was a ‘gift’ for driving her home.
Officers discovered he was due to travel on flight to Istanbul on 3 December. He was arrested at the airport before he could board and subsequently taken into custody.
Yagoub’s victim gave evidence as part of the trial– with Yagoub seen to be laughing while she read this out. This was later acknowledged by the judge in his sentencing remarks.
Detective Constable Oliver Smith, from Greater Manchester Police, said: “Yagoub picked up a vulnerable woman and took advantage of her while she was in no fit state to consent.
“His actions were vile and I want to commend the woman for her bravery in coming forward – this work has been about ensuring justice for her.
“He spun a web of lies during his police interview, claiming various falsehoods about how he had helped her and that everything that happened was consensual. None of this was true.
“He is now behind bars where he belongs, and I hope that this result can bring some level of closure to his victim.”
In total, Yagoub received an 11-year custodial sentence with a five year extended licence. He will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and restraining order.
