Warning over 'cabbie' rapist

Jul 3 2006 Mark Cowan

DETECTIVES hunting a rapist who posed as a private hire driver to lure a young woman into his car today warned he could strike again.

The scar faced driver tricked the woman into getting into his car as she headed home following a night out with pals in Birmingham city centre.

He drove her to a deserted spot where he raped her in the back of his vehicle. She was then dumped in Edgbaston.

A man, in his early 40s, arrested in connection with the incident has now been cleared following the result of forensic tests.

Detectives said it was now crucial the public kept the eyes open for a car they were trying to trace in connection with the incident.

The car, possibly a blue or black Honda Accord with distinctive five spoke alloy wheels, was captured by CCTV cameras outside the Works nightclub, in Broad Street.

Detectives received a number of new leads following an appeal in the Birmingham Mail last Thursday and were today still following them up.

Det Insp Ken Lloyd said: "I want people to be on their guard. This man has struck once and we cannot rule out the possibility he may strike again.

"I would ask anyone with information about the vehicle to come forward."

The incident happened in the early hours of June 16. It is thought a number of women had approached the car before the man targeted his victim. Officers are to return to Broad Street this week to speak to revellers in the hunt for fresh witnesses and warn them of the dangers of using private hire vehicles without pre-booking them. 

Anyone with knowledge of the vehicle or driver should contact Bournville Lane CID on 0845 113 500 or the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555111.