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03/08/2012
'Taxi Driver' Rapist Jailed
A man who posed as a taxi driver and raped a woman on Christmas Eve has been jailed for eight years.
Nathan Gifford, 44, raped the 25-year-old in 2011 after she left a nightclub in Gillingham, Kent.
She was on her own, having become separated from a friend, and Gifford helped her in to his borrowed taxi.
He then raped her and abandoned her.
Detective Inspector Lee Whitehead said: "Gifford gave the impression of being a professional taxi driver and then preyed on the victim while she was in a vulnerable state.
"The victim probably felt that she was safe when she stepped into the rogue taxi driver's vehicle but he took full advantage of the situation."
"A swift investigation using automatic number plate recognition technology and CCTV evidence, led to Gifford's arrest on the same day as the offence.
"Gifford denied the offence throughout the trial, which resulted in the victim having to suffer the ordeal of being cross-examined in court.
"She was incredibly brave to come forward and support this prosecution."
The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: "This has been a horrible experience and every now and then I thought that I couldn't go through with going to court.
"When he was found guilty it was a huge relief. I felt that justice had been done. When I think of him I feel sick. That Christmas was horrible but my family were very supportive, they kept me going. I will go out again but right now I am not ready."
(NE)
Nathan Gifford, 44, raped the 25-year-old in 2011 after she left a nightclub in Gillingham, Kent.
She was on her own, having become separated from a friend, and Gifford helped her in to his borrowed taxi.
He then raped her and abandoned her.
Detective Inspector Lee Whitehead said: "Gifford gave the impression of being a professional taxi driver and then preyed on the victim while she was in a vulnerable state.
"The victim probably felt that she was safe when she stepped into the rogue taxi driver's vehicle but he took full advantage of the situation."
"A swift investigation using automatic number plate recognition technology and CCTV evidence, led to Gifford's arrest on the same day as the offence.
"Gifford denied the offence throughout the trial, which resulted in the victim having to suffer the ordeal of being cross-examined in court.
"She was incredibly brave to come forward and support this prosecution."
The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: "This has been a horrible experience and every now and then I thought that I couldn't go through with going to court.
"When he was found guilty it was a huge relief. I felt that justice had been done. When I think of him I feel sick. That Christmas was horrible but my family were very supportive, they kept me going. I will go out again but right now I am not ready."
(NE)
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