A Glasgow taxi driver has been sentenced to seven years in prison for raping a woman he picked up from a night out, in what was described as a "despicable betrayal of trust".
Thomas Tosh, 39, attacked the 23-year-old woman at his home in Drumchapel after she became intoxicated and incapable of consenting. The High Court in Glasgow heard that Tosh had collected the victim and her friends from a pub in Clydebank during the early hours of 30 September 2023.
After dropping off all other passengers, Tosh deactivated his taxi’s GPS tracking system. He then drove the victim in the opposite direction from her intended destination, taking her to his residence.
Tosh was later identified after a friend of the victim discovered his image on social media and presented it to her. Prosecutors successfully secured the conviction using a combination of DNA evidence, text messages, and witness accounts.
On Tuesday, Judge Hughes handed down the seven-year jail term and ordered Tosh’s indefinite inclusion on the sex offenders register.
Faye Cook, procurator fiscal for High Court Sexual Offences, said: “This was a despicable betrayal of trust by a man who was responsible for getting a woman home safely after a night out.
“Thomas Tosh deliberately concealed his location as he drove the victim to his home, where he raped her while it was clear she was unable to consent.
“I want to recognise the courage shown by this young woman throughout the prosecution process. Her strength has helped bring a predatory offender to justice.
“Scotland’s prosecutors will continue to use every tool available to pursue those who abuse women and girls, and to protect the public from harm.”
