A man who posed as a taxi driver has admitted raping women he picked up as they made their way home from nights out.

The BBC reported that Nazim Asmal lured his victims into his car before driving to remote locations and assaulting them. The 34-year-old, formerly of Blackburn, appeared at Preston Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to four counts of rape and sexual assault.

Lancashire Police said the first rape happened on 3 October 2021 after the victim was picked up by Asmal in Preston city centre. He drove for about ten minutes, raped her in the car and then dropped her off back in the city centre. 

She flagged a member of the public down for help.

The second rape happened on 4 March when the victim got into Asmal's fake taxi after a night out in Darwen.

He drove her to a secluded area on the outskirts of the town where he assaulted her.

Asmal later called her twice in April and she recognised his voice as the man who had raped her but did not know his identity.

She ended the call after he asked her if she "wanted to do something", police said.

Asmal raped his third victim, who he picked up in Darwen town centre, on the same evening he made that phone call.

Driving her towards Bolton, in the opposite direction of her home, Asmal said: "You don't want to pay for this taxi, do you?"

He stopped in a secluded area and raped her. He then dropped her off at her home.

Detectives identified Asmal after his black Toyota Yaris was picked up on CCTV cameras.

Det Insp Darren Irving said: "Asmal deliberately targeted his victims because of their vulnerable state and subjected them to serious sexual assaults."

He said his crimes were "abhorrent", adding: "My thoughts are very much with the victims who continue to be supported by specially trained officers."

Source: BBC