Taxi driver who raped woman in ‘despicable betrayal of trust’ jailed

A Glasgow taxi driver who raped a woman in a “despicable betrayal of trust” after picking her up from a night out has been jailed for seven years.

Thomas Tosh, 39, attacked the woman at his home in Drumchapel while she was intoxicated and incapable of consenting.

He had picked up the victim and her friends from a pub in Clydebank during the early hours of September 30 2023.

On Tuesday, Judge Hughes sentenced Tosh to seven years in jail and his name was added to the sex offenders register indefinitely.

The High Court in Glasgow had earlier been told that he had dropped off all other passengers except for the 23-year-old victim on the night of the attack.

He turned off the taxi’s GPS tracking system and drove in the opposite direction from where he was supposed to take her, bringing her to his home.

Tosh was identified later after the victim’s friend found a picture of him on social media and showed it to her.

Prosecutors also used DNA evidence, text messages and witness accounts to secure the conviction.

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.”