A man who preyed on two vulnerable women, luring them into his car before sexually assaulting them, has been jailed for 18 years at Wood Green Crown Court .
Thierry Kindundu, 30 , a Congolese national of High Street, Enfield had previously been found guilty of raping one woman, and the attempted rape and sexual assault of the second woman, at the same court on 23 January.
Kindundu will also remain on licence for five-years following his sentence and will sign the sex offenders REGISTER for life.
The court heard how Kindundu had driven around the streets of north London looking for women to attack.
On the first occasion on 29 August 2011, Kindundu approached a 20-year-old woman who was alone waiting at a bus stop in Tottenham High Road, N17. Kindundu OFFERED the woman a lift. Thinking he was a cab driver, the woman refused saying she had no MONEY but Kindundu persisted, OFFERING to drive her FOR FREE.
However, once inside the car Kindundu drove the woman to Chestnuts Park, N15 where he raped her.
Residents near to the park heard the incident and came to the victim’s aid while Kindundu made off in his car, a Citroen Picasso.
The second incident occurred in Edmonton on 16 December 2012. The victim, 32, had been out with a friend and was in Fore Street when Kindundu pulled up in a car and OFFERED them a lift. Both women got into the car and Kindundu proceeded to drive off in a different direction to where they lived. The women became concerned and demanded Kindundu let them out. He stopped and one woman managed to get out of the car but Kindundu drove off before the second woman could exit.
Police were called and officers traced Kindundu and his victim a short distance away. During this time Kindundu has sexually assaulted and attempted to rape his victim.
Kindundu was arrested and subsequenty charged with offences related to both incidents.
Detective Constable Suzie Chantry of the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse (SOECA) Command led the investgation She said:
“I would like to praise the courage of the two victims who have put their trust in the police to obtain justice for them. I hope the fact that Kindundu has been jailed will go some way to achieving closure for them.
“Kindundu is a predatory sexual offender who stalked the streets of north London late at night, looking for woman to attack. I cannot DISCOUNT the fact that there may be other victims of Kindundu and I would appeal to anyone who thinks they may have been attacked by this man to come forward and speak to police.
“Today’s sentencing shows that you will be believed and the police will pursue those responsible and put them before the courts.”
Detective Inspector Rick Murphy, also of SOECA, said:
“This case highlights the dangers of getting into a vehicle of someone you don’t know. Even if you think the person may be a cab driver, don’t get into their car. Unlicensed cabs are not regulated and you don’t know who is driving them.”
Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of Thierry Kindundu is asked to contact specially trained SOECA officers on 020 8217 7474.
http://www.topafricamagazine.net/wordpress/thierry-kindundu30-jailed-for-sexual-attacks-on-two-women/
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Brussels' Transport Minister Pascal Smet outlined plans last week for taxi reform in the Belgian capital from the start of 2016, including conditions under which the fast-growing U.S. company Uber could operate.
Taxis drove slowly through central Brussels, bearing banners such as "No to Uber" and blocking major intersections. Unions said 1,200 taxis took part, including about 100 from France. Police said there were about 600.
Taxi drivers across Europe, many of whom benefit from highly regulated markets, say Uber breaks local taxi rules and violates licensing, insurance and safety regulations.
Facing legal action in Germany, France and the Netherlands, Uber, which helps users find rides via their smartphones, has promised to create 50,000 jobs this year in European cities that are willing to let them take root.
Smet has said he is aware that Uber and rivals risk creating poorly paid jobs and said Uber would only be allowed to operate according to set criteria -- notably keeping a register of all drivers, vehicles and journeys made and paying tax in full.
Drivers signed up to Uber would have to be at least 21 and could only do the activity as a side job, with regular taxi drivers also able to sign up. Vehicles would have to be no older than seven years and subject to an annual check-up.
"I am paying taxes, I am paying my dues, I pay double insurance for my cab. Is Uber paying all that?" asked taxi driver Haydar Dogan.
Sandra Langenus, regional secretary of transport union FGTB-UBT, also condemned any move to let in Uber. "It's simply about undercutting the price. We would just be entering a downward spiral in terms of pay and conditions," she said.
The taxi plan, which would be subject to a vote in the regional parliament, envisages new fixed fares for short journeys or those to the airport and a smartphone application that would allow consumers to hail a taxi online.
Taxi drivers who have worked for three years without complaints would earn certificates of excellence and a regional annual tax of 575 euros ($642) would be scrapped.
Brussels, a city of about 1 million people, has 1,300 licenced taxis and some 3,000 drivers.
https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/taxis-jam-brussels-protest-over-160946384.html
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