Man jailed for 12 years for raping woman in Beeston as she walked home from party
The off duty private hire driver followed the woman in his car, before attacking her.
A man has been jailed for 12 years for raping a woman in Leeds as she was walking home from a party.
Off duty private hire driver Daniel Hayelom first saw his victim, a woman in her 40s, as she was walking along Dewsbury Road in Beeston at around 6am on October 22 2023.
He drove past, before parking up and approaching her on foot.
He started talking to her before leading her into an alleyway in Tunstall Road and sexually assaulting her.
The victim later came forward to police, who were able to trace Hayelom based on DNA evidence and CCTV footage of his car.
The 36 year old, of Clyde Approach in Armley, was convicted by a jury at Leeds Crown Court earlier this year.
He will spend four years out on extended licence following his release.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle said: “Hayelom targeted the victim as someone he saw as being vulnerable at the time. He could have helped her to get home safely but instead he chose to prey on her for his own gratification."
“His actions have had a significant traumatic impact on the victim, and we commend her for the courage and mental fortitude she has shown during the investigation and the court process that has resulted in his conviction.
“We hope she can find some degree of comfort in seeing him held criminally accountable for what he did to her.
“Women and girls should be safe to live their lives free from the fear of violence and harassment, and we remain fully committed to working alongside our partner agencies to make the county a safer place. Taking dangerous offenders like Hayelom off the streets will always remain a key part of our work to keep women and girls safe.
“Our professional and sensitive handling of this investigation should help to demonstrate to others how seriously we will always treat offences of this nature."