TWO vile sexual predators who attacked a teenager outside a nightclub in downtown Warrington have been jailed.
Omed Mahmood dragged the 18-year-old victim into the taxi of accomplice Jojo Thirunilam before sexually assaulting her after she became unconscious.
Bolton Crown Court learned that the first approached several women in downtown Warrington in the early hours of Sunday, October 31, 2021, after a night before “selecting their target” and taking her to a stop. of taxis.
Around 5 a.m., Thirunilam, from Cronulla Drive to Great Sankey, drove them to Mahmood’s house in Atherton.
While doing so, the woman fell asleep and the latter sexually assaulted and attempted to rape the teenager in the back seats during an hour-long journey – the vehicle had initially gone to Liverpool before changing course – while the his driver looked in the rearview mirror and “licked his tongue.”
Mahmood, of Brooklands Avenue, “forcibly removed the victim from the vehicle” and took her to his address when she arrived and continued to attack her as she entered and lost consciousness.
He fled to a nearby store for help after waking up in a “distressed state” almost two hours later, not knowing where he was or how he had arrived.
The two defendants did not know each other before the shocking assault, and Thirunilam had been paid to turn a blind eye to what was going on in his taxi.
Mahmood was held for nine years today, Tuesday, after the 40-year-old man pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual assault and attempted rape, as well as three other counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted rape. of rape after a period of four days. judges.
Thirunilam, 49, was jailed for 18 months after pleading guilty to two offenses of aiding and abetting a criminal.
Crown Attorney General Craig Cleminson of the Crown Prosecutor’s Office’s Serious Rape and Crime Unit said: “A vulnerable young woman has been subjected to prolonged sexual assault in the back of the Crown Prosecutor’s Office. ‘a taxi by a stranger and back to his house in this case really shocking.
“Omed Mahmood exhibited predatory behavior when he approached women outside a nightclub before focusing on a young woman who was clearly intoxicated.
“Jojo Thirunilam not only did nothing to prevent it, but also actively allowed it.
“We worked closely with the police to build a solid case against both men, including the collection of a large number of CCTV evidence from outside the club and inside the taxi, which led to both of them pleading guilty to the crimes committed. in the taxi.
“After considering all the evidence against Mahmood, the jury found him guilty of the crimes at home not captured by CCTV.
“I would like to congratulate this young woman for facing the man who abused her and the man who helped and complied with it.
“His immense strength is demonstrated in his impact statement to the victim, where he said, ‘I will not let this vile man take my spirit away or ruin my life.’
“I sincerely hope that when both men begin their sentences, she will be able to put this traumatic incident behind her and move on with her life.”
Thirunilam also signed the sex offender registry, while his taxi license was previously suspended by the Warrington Borough Council.
Detective Sergeant Andrew Devine added: “First of all, our thoughts are with the victim and her family who have understandably gone through a horrible time, especially during the trial, where explicit details were heard.
“Detectives immediately launched an investigation and arrested Mahmood within 48 hours of the incident.
“They carefully gathered for hours off CCTV to understand the events of that night.” Mahmood is a sexual predator, and his monstrous actions that saw him prey on a vulnerable young woman are absolutely indescribable.
“I’m glad he’s behind bars and that the streets are a safer place for women without him.
“Thirunilam could have helped the victim and prevented the sexual assault on his vehicle, but instead chose to look at and encourage Mahmood even though he did not even know him.
“Violence against women and girls is one of GMP’s priorities, and agents are working every day to make the region a safer place.
“We will use absolutely every power we have available to protect women from perpetrators like these two men.”