A Palmerston North taxi driver, who skipped the country after sexually assaulting a female passenger, has been sent to jail.
Sharif Ali has been given seven and a half years with a minimum non-parole period of four and a half years for unlawful sexual conduct, indecent assault and kidnapping.
Ali attacked a 19-year-old girl in his taxi in August 2004.
He first appeared in court in September that year, but skipped the country after being granted bail. A year later he was located in Canada and brought back.
In sentencing on Friday, Judge Nevin Dawson said aggravating factors included the degree of violence and the profound breach of trust.
He told him he must be held accountable for the harm caused to the victim.
Dawson also told Ali his actions had an effect on the wider community, as catching a taxi should be a safe and sensible option for women. He says that security has been thrown into doubt, along with the reputation of law-abiding taxi drivers.
