A TAXI driver who raped a teenage passenger on the way home from a Christmas party has been jailed for six years.

Married Arshad Mahmood, 31, made the 18-year-old perform a sex act on him and then forced himself on her after ordering her into the back seat of his cab in the early hours.

Burnley Crown Court heard the victim, who tried to kill herself four months after the ordeal, also had to face anxieties over the possible consequences of unprotected sex as well as being subjected to indignity, degraded and insulted.

Sentencing the defendant, who was working for Hotline Taxis in Hammerton Street at the time, Judge Barbara Watson said he had obviously had an eye for the girl in the past and took full advantage of the fact she was alone.

The judge said young women like the complainant were very vulnerable and depended on the good behaviour of taxi drivers.

Mahmood, of Grey Street, Burnley, admitted rape, last January 10. He was also given an extended licence period of three years and was put on the Sex Offenders' Register indefinitely.

David Bentley, prosecuting, said the Mahmood started to feel the 18-year-old's leg and eventually stopped in a lay-by.

He started to kiss the victim, got out of the taxi and walked round to her door. He then told the teenager to get in the back and she did so because she was scared.

Mahmood made her perform a sex act on him, groped her and kissed her indecently. He then then took the girl home.

When arrested Mahmood said the girl had started to touch him and consented to sex .

Paul Hague, defending, said Mahmood did not use any violence. He had been brave to plead guilty and he was fully aware of the consequences.