'Predatory' minicab driver jailed for sex offences

Alexandru Tapurin sexually assaulted three "lone females" in Norwich in January

A self-employed minicab driver has been jailed for 21 months for committing sexual assaults while on duty.

Alexandru Tapurin assaulted three separate women in Norwich in January.

The 36-year-old, of Tizzick Close in the city, pleaded guilty to three charges earlier this year.

Sentencing him at Norwich Crown Court, Judge Andrew Edis told Tapurin one victim "was at your mercy with no idea how it would end".

The judge added Tapurin had "engaged in predatory conduct... they were serious sexual offences".

Det Sgt Ricki Peake from Norfolk Police said the sentencing was a "pleasing outcome"

Det Sgt Ricki Peake described Tapurin’s pattern of offending as "unusual".

"Over the course of the weekend he picked up three different lone females and separately assaulted them in his taxi," he said.

"Women should be able to get a taxi home safely… Alexandru Tapurin was in a position of trust and he abused that trust.

"I'm pleased the victims have finally got some closure."

He added one of the women had been on her way home from work.

Police said all three victims had suffered physical and verbal "unwanted advances", with one "forced to engage in sexual activity".

'Disturbing incident'

Tapurin worked as a self-employed driver for the Norwich-based company ABC Taxis when he committed the offences between 19 and 22 January.

The firm said the safety and wellbeing of passengers were its "top priorities".

"We do not tolerate any behaviour that compromises their security," a spokesperson said.

"The disturbing incident involving Alexandru Tapurin, the driver-partner, is completely unacceptable and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the victims and their families.

"As soon as we were made aware of the Tapurin incidents, he was reported to the local licensing authority, his licence was revoked, and he was permanently barred from operating via ABC Taxis."

The defendant was also given a sexual harm prevention order by the court and will be placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

Broadland District Council, which issued Taprurin his private hire vehicle licence (PHV) in March 2023, said it was revoked with "immediate effect" after police informed them of the assaults.