Burnley Taxi Driver Wahid Riaz Jailed Five Years for Sexual Assault of 14-Year-Old

Wahid Riaz, a 52-year-old taxi driver from Nelson, has been jailed for five years after being found guilty of engaging in sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl. During the ride, the victim informed Riaz of her age, but he dismissed it, insisting she was older and questioned if she had been with an Asian male, a conversation she recorded. Riaz then parked near her home, coerced her into hugging and kissing him, and proceeded to sexually assault her before dropping her off. The victim suffered significant trauma, describing feelings of dirtiness, anxiety about her clothing, and self-blame, which continued after the incident. Detective Constable Ryan Benson condemned Riaz's actions, highlighting his exploitation of his position to isolate and abuse a vulnerable child, and praised the victim's bravery for reporting the crime and testifying despite the distress it caused. Riaz's denial of the charges and lack of remorse contrasted sharply with the victim's courage and the overwhelming evidence against him.