Fake taxi driver abducted and raped woman in Glasgow barber shop

A man prentending to be a taxi driver before abducting and raping a woman in a barber shop has been jailed for six years.

Barzan Nawshowani, 38, preyed on his victim at KS Turkish Barbers in Glasgow’s Dennistoun on August 7, 2022.

He picked up his victim and her friend in the city centre after a night out while pretending to be a taxi driver.

He took the woman into the barber shop where he worked and closed the shutters. Nawshowani then switched off the CCTV in the premises.

Court papers stated Nawshowani touched her body and raped her. He was found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday, February 2, and sentenced on Monday, February 26.

Judge Lord Colbeck said: “You did not know your victim – she believed you were a taxi driver.

“You dropped her friend off in Govan and returned to your barber shop in the east end.

“Once your victim entered he shop you closed the electric shutters which prevented her from leaving and you raped her.

“I have regard to the psychological harm suffered which is harrowingly demonstrated in her victim impact statement.

“You targeted someone who was vulnerable at the time of the offence due to her consumption of alcohol.”

Police Scotland detective chief inspector Iain Nelson said how Nawshowani “abused” the trust his victim had put in him was “deplorable”.

“Barzan Nawshowani took advantage of a woman who, believing him to be a bona fide taxi driver, trusted him to make sure she got home safely,” he said.

“I would like to praise the woman for coming forward to police. Her courage and testimony are what had him convicted today and also importantly it made sure he is no longer a risk to other woman at this time.”

The married father-of-two was put on the sex offenders register for an indefinite period.

Sarah Livingstone, defending, earlier told the sentencing that Nawshowani continued to profess his innocence.

The advocate said: “He has had a fairly tragic life given his country of origin and suffering caused to the Kurdish people.

“His mother, father and five siblings were murdered in a terrorist attack.

“He himself was injured in a separate attack.

“Despite this, he managed with help, to come to Britain and has worked almost consistently culminating in being able to secure a loan to purchase the barber shop.”

Nawshowani shook his head before being led into the cells.