'Predatory' taxi driver sexually assaulted customer

A taxi driver has been found guilty of sex offences after taking a woman to a secluded location and assaulting her instead of driving her home.

Abdulhamid Alammar, 34, of St Leonards, East Sussex, was found guilty of sexual assault and causing a person to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity following a trial at Lewes Crown Court on Friday.

He was found not guilty of false imprisonment.

The court heard on 29 November 2024 a woman in her 30s booked a taxi home from a friend's address. She was collected by Alammar, who then attacked her.

The offences came to light when officers were investigating a separate sex assault reported in April 2025 by another woman in Hastings.

When Alammar was arrested and charged with the November incident he was already in custody charged with the April allegations.

The self-employed taxi driver faced trial for the April offences in October 2025 and convicted of sexual assault, but acquitted of rape and sexual assault by penetration.

He remained remanded in custody pending trial for the November offences.

Sussex Police's Det Con Christina Bales said: "These were serious and predatory offences committed against women who should have felt safe.

"I would like to commend the victims for their courage in coming forward and supporting the investigation."

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