54 Year Old Robert Apicella was opertaing an illegal taxi at the time
Alfred Robert Apicella, aged 54 from Mitcham was found guilty on 5 November 2009 of two counts of sexual assault by touching and one charge of digital penetration at Kingston Crown Court and received a four year imprisonment.
Apicella, who worked as a courier and ice cream vendor during the day and as an illegal taxi tout in the evenings, was touting for passengers on 2 November 2008 on Tooting Broadway.
He collected the 24-year-old victim, who had been out drinking with friends in Wimbledon and having got on a bus to Tooting was looking for a way to get home at approx 0340am.
The victim told Apicella that she had no money on her and would pay him when they got to her home address. He agreed to this arrangement and to take her to her home near Wandsworth Common. She made to get into the back of the car when he told her to get in the front and put her seatbelt on.
When they arrived at her home address, Apicella said that the victim would not have to pay him but instead she could just give him a kiss and a cuddle. He then proceeded to sexually assault her before she managed to use her elbow to strike him and escape from the vehicle.
The victim made it safely into her home before contacting her partner and subsequently the police.
On the 27th May 2009 officers attended Apicella's home address and arrested him on suspicion of sexual assault, for which he was charged later that day.
DCI Mark Cranwell from Wandsworth Borough said: "We cannot stress strongly enough, with the Christmas party season beginning, how important it is to ensure that you get home safely and are not drawn into using unlicensed cabs.
"This victim had a terrible ordeal after a night out with her friends and I would like to thank her for her bravery in coming forwards and helping police bring Apicella to justice. "
If anyone would like to contact police in relation to this incident you can call the incident room on 0208 247 8757.
December 15, 2009
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