A St Catherine taxi operator who drove away with and raped one of his passengers was sentenced to 17 years' imprisonment in the St Catherine Circuit Court yesterday.

Guilty of abduction and rape is Marcus Squire, 27, from Spanish Town. Squire was sentenced to 12 years' hard labour for rape and seven years' hard labour for abduction.

Justice Vievene Harris told the accused that the sentences are to run concurrently, which means Squire will only serve 12 years.

The Crown led evidence that three years ago the accused picked up a female whom he knew. He made advances at her which were spurned. However, instead of taking her to her destination, he took her to an isolated location where he raped her.

The 22-year-old complainant subsequently reported the matter to the police and following an investigation, Squire was charged.