A RAWTENSTALL cabbie who sexually attacked a terrified woman passenger has walked free from court, after a judge said she had to follow sentencing guidelines.

Shamraz Akhtar, 28, a married father-of-two, had groped and fondled the 23-year-old victim in the two minute journey to her home after a night out in the town.

She eventually leapt from the vehicle and ran home, where her partner was waiting at the door, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Another taxi driver was arrested over the assaults but the defendant went to visit him at his home, apologised and owned up.

He was arrested but made no comment when questioned, even after being picked out on an identity parade.

Akhtar, who claimed he had been aroused because the woman was scantily-clad, received 26 weeks in jail, suspended for two years, with 12 months supervision and 120 hours unpaid work.

The defendant, of Paget Street, Highfield, Keigh-ley, had admitted two counts of sexual assault, on February 11.

He will be on the sex offenders' register for five years.

Jane Dagnall, prosec-uting, said at about 1.40am, the woman got into the front passemger seat of the taxi and paid the fare straight away.

She rang her boyfriend to tell him she was on her way and asked him to be be at the front door waiting for her.

As she finished the call, Akhtar held out his hand, as if to return the money and asked the victim: “Can you not pay with sex?”

The woman was upset and angry. The defendant continued to drive.

Miss Dagnall said Akhtar suddenly leaned over and put his hand down the passenger's top and groped her.

She hit out and scream-ed at him to get off.

The defendant then moved his hand to the top of her thigh and the woman was by this time very scared as Akhtar was not driving in the right direction for her home.

She told him her partner was waiting and the defendant began to drive in the correct direction, but was slowing down.

The victim jumped from the cab and ran home.

Catherine Hollins, defending, said Akhtar’s wife had left him, he had lost his job and he would not be employed as a taxi driver again.

Judge Beverley Lunt said sentencing guidelines for such an offence specified a community order.

She said: “It may be that many people, especially women, will see that as ridiculously lenient.”

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