Man posed as taxi driver before raping woman

Frank Manuel was jailed for 18 years at St Albans Crown Court on Monday

A man who pretended to be a taxi driver before sexually assaulting a woman has been jailed for 18 years.

In the early hours of 30 April last year, Frank Manuel, 32, of Cussons Close, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, offered a woman a lift home after a night out in Hertford.

She believed he was a taxi driver and he drove her to locations away from public view before he raped and strangled her.

Manuel was previously found guilty, by a unanimous verdict, of three counts of rape, two of non-fatal strangulation and one of sexual assault. He was sentenced on Monday at St Albans Crown Court.

Each time the victim screamed during the incident Manuel would strangle her, according to police.

The victim managed to escape and flee before a member of the public found her in Ware Road (A602) and took her to Ware railway station for safety before the police were called.

An investigation was launched and Manuel was arrested at his home address on 2 May of that year, following inquiries to trace the victim's phone, which had been left in his car.

During sentencing, Judge Donne described Manuel as a "sexual predator".

He was imprisoned for 18 years with an extended licence period of two years.

He was also given a lifetime sexual harm prevention order, which prohibits him from being alone with a female who is not a family member without notifying them of his conviction.

'Bravery and determination'

In a statement, the victim's parents thanked those who had supported their daughter, including the driver who stopped to help her on the side of Ware Road.

"Our daughter had the bravery and determination to pursue this conviction and we are incredibly proud of her in doing so," they added.

"We hope this substantial sentence will help in her recovery."

Det Con Jasbir Pawar, who led the investigation, described the incident as "horrific" and said it would have a "lasting impact on the victim".

"After enjoying a night out with a friend, all she wanted to do was go home," he said.

"But Manuel took advantage of her vulnerability and committed these awful crimes.

"I hope the victim and her family feel a sense of closure and that justice has now been served, although nothing will erase what this man has done."