Manhunt for fake taxi driver rapist on the loose after skipping court

A manhunt has begun for a wanted rapist posing as a taxi driver, with police asking for any information on the man after he skipped court.

Watir Ali, 46, was sentenced to eight years in prison after he was convicted of rape, but officers have launched an urgent appeal for information on his whereabouts.

Ali, from Bristol, had failed to show up to Bristol Crown Court, with police now searching for the man, who was described as a south Asian of 5ft 6ins.

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Further descriptions of Ali were released, with police detailing the convicted rapist as having short dark hair and brown eyes as their search continues.

Ali was sentenced to eight years over the grim rape of a victim who entered his vehicle after leaving a night club, mistakenly believing him to be a taxi driver.

He subjected his victim to a horrifying four-hour ordeal before taking her to his home where Ali raped her, The Sun reported.

Police have since released a statement, which read: "If you know where he is now, please call 999 and give the reference 5223133652.

"If you have any other information which could help officers to locate him, please call 101 and give the same reference."

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Following his failure to attend court, Judge Peter Blair issued a warrant for his arrest, and two hours later convicted Ali in absence to the rape.

Judge Blair said: "It is my view that Mr Ali did target the complainant because he perceived she was vulnerable through intoxication. It is clear that her memory of events was hugely, badly affected by the excessive consumption of alcohol.

"It is aggravated because it was night-time, she was on her own and the defendant was sober."

A victim statement read out to court stated: "My smile has been stolen from me. I have been living in a very dark place. I don't think I'll ever get over it. I will never forget it. Five years on I'm still recovering from it."

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