Taxi drivers ‘raped same woman on same night'

Two taxi drivers accused of raping a drunk female passenger in separate incidents on the same night are likely to face trial in October.

One year on from the alleged offences, both men, who worked for different taxi companies, yesterday appeared in the High Court at Wellington and were remanded to reappear on May 22.

Hicham Awad Riyad, 21, and a 25-year-old man with name suppression are alleged to have raped and indecently assaulted the 24-year-old woman.

Justice Ronald Young said yesterday there were matters outstanding in the Wellington District Court for the second driver so both should reappear this month for a trial date to be set.

The trial was likely to start on October 16.

The Crown alleges that in the early hours of May 1 last year, the woman, who was already drunk, had gone into central Wellington then later got into Riyad's taxi.

Instead of taking her where she wanted to go, he allegedly drove her to a nearby area and raped her.

After the woman was dropped off, she got into another taxi and was taken to Island Bay where the second driver allegedly raped her.

- NZPA